Farewell ceremony for local Olympic athletes planned

10 June 2008

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and the city’s Olympic Committee will next week host a civic function to farewell Canterbury-based athletes and officials representingNew Zealand at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate our local elite athletes on their achievements to date, recognise their selection in the Olympic team and farewell them with our best wishes for success at the Games,” says Mr Parker.

The function will be held next Wednesday, 18 June, from 4.30pm to 6pm, in the Mayor’s Lounge, first floor, Civic Offices, Tuam Street.

Canterbury will be represented in a wide range of events at this year’s games, with real strength in cycling, rowing, hockey and basketball.

Ardent Olympic watchers will be particularly keen to follow the performance of Hayden Roulston in the track cycling events and Andrea Hewitt in the triathlon. 

Bruce Ullrich, Chairman of the Christchurch Olympic Committee, says this year’s contingent will be largest ever sent from Canterbury, and he has high hopes for their success.

“I believe this team for Beijing has the ability to match or exceed the medal counts of our successful New Zealand teams in Los Angeles and Seoul in the 1980s.”

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