The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has named it’s Chefs de Mission for the next Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Olympian and five-time Commonwealth Games medallist Nigel Avery will head the New Zealand Team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with Winter Games New Zealand CEO Marty Toomey named Chef de Mission for Milano Cortina 2026.
Avery led the New Zealand Team for the first time at Birmingham 2022, overseeing New Zealand's mosty successful ever offshore games.
“Birmingham was a fantastic experience and I was really proud of the team’s performances on and off the field of play,” said Avery.
“I’m now looking forward to creating a supportive environment for our Summer Olympic team, and ensuring our athletes have everything they need to meet their goals in Paris in just over a year and a half.”
The New Zealand Team is expected to number around 200 in Paris, with Avery saying the Opening Ceremony is sure to be a highlight.
“The Paris Organising Committee has some pretty amazing plans in the pipeline. The Opening Ceremony is set to take place on the river Seine with athletes to be transported through the heart of the city on barges as hundreds of thousands of spectators line the banks of the river.
“We’re also expecting fantastic competition at iconic venues and we know our team will be giving everything to make New Zealand proud and add another chapter to our sporting history.”
Tickets for Paris 2024 will be distributed by a global ballot for the first time. Fans who are interested in supporting the New Zealand Team in Paris are able to visit this link for more information.
“Paris is going to be an amazing Games and we’d love a big contingent of New Zealanders to be there cheering on the team,” said Avery.
Meanwhile Marty Toomey is pleased to leading another campaign, following on from Beijing 2022 where the team created history by winning New Zealand's first ever Winter Olympic gold medals.
“Milano Cortina is fast approaching and I’m really pleased to have another opportunity to contribute to New Zealand’s success through the role of Chef de Mission,” said Toomey.
“I’m looking forward to helping the team to build on the success of Beijing 2022 as the Winter Olympic Games head back to Europe.”
Toomey will also lead the New Zealand Team to the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in South Korea.
A unique leadership role, the New Zealand Team Chef de Mission champions the needs of athletes inside complex and high-performance Games environments. The role ensures the New Zealand Team promotes athlete mana, wellbeing and performance at all times throughout the Games period.
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol says Avery and Toomey bring extensive experience to the roles.
“Nigel and Marty are both equipped with impressive leadership qualities and have shown they know how to lead teams at the highest level of sport,” said Nicol.
“They are the ideal people to lead the New Zealand Team, build on our culture of manaaki and help to create a new chapter in our Summer and Winter Olympic sporting history.”
The NZOC Athletes’ Commission was a key party in the appointment process.
About Paris 2024
In July and August 2024, New Zealand athletes will take on the world at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Around 200 New Zealand Team athletes will compete at the Games, with the stunning city of Paris set to host 10,500 athletes from 206 nations.
With competition taking place at the Palace of Versaille, beneath the Eiffel Tower, inside Stade de France, and around landmarks such as Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Hotel de Ville and along the Seine, the Games are expected to be a spectacular event.
The Zealand Team is once again set to shine in sports from equestrian, to rowing, rugby sevens, swimming, canoe sprint, sailing, athletics, cycling and more, while New Zealanders can check out the action in incredible new urban sports including skateboarding, sport climbing, breaking and 3x3 basketball.
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