New Zealand launches 2008 Olympics campaign

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Bring on Beijing is the name given to New Zealand’s Olympic campaign, which will be easily recognised with this bold red and white ‘yin’ or seal that stamps our mark on New Zealand’s road to Beijing 2008.

Media release
15 June, 2007
For immediate release

Bring on Beijing
New Zealand launches 2008 Olympics campaign

New Zealand, last night launched its campaign to the Beijing Olympic Games at Parliament.

The launch of the campaign – Bring on Beijing – comes at the beginning of Olympic Week (17 to 23 June).

Beijing 2008 is New Zealand’s chance to show the world what we’re made of, says New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Barry Maister.

“The Olympic Movement is one of the most powerful movements in the world and relevant to all New Zealanders. It’s about encouraging New Zealanders to be the best they can be, not just in sport but across all areas of their lives.

”Athletes value support from all New Zealanders and it makes a real difference to their performance.

“Bring on Beijing is a compelling call to action for athletes and supporters alike and evokes the national character – our entrepreneurial, courageous and go-getter attitude.”

Chef de Mission Dave Currie, who returned last month from a site visit at the Olympic venues in Beijing is excited about the beginning of the build up to Beijing.

“With just 14 months until the Olympic Games open in Beijing, we need the support of all New Zealanders to help us take what is likely to be our biggest ever New Zealand team to compete in Beijing,” Mr Currie says.

Olympic Ambassador announced

New Zealand swimming legend and double Gold medallist Danyon Loader has been appointed as the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s first Olympic Ambassador.

With three World Championship medals and six Commonwealth Games medals, added to his Olympic achievements, Danyon is one of the greatest athletes New Zealand has produced.

Since retiring from swimming in 1998 he has worked as a Wellington-based mentor with Swimming New Zealand and during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games was a popular host at New Zealand House.

Danyon is the perfect role model for aspiring athletes those who want to take themselves to the pinnacle of high performance competition, as well as being an inspiration to all New Zealanders.” Barry Maister says.

“We’re very proud to have Danyon working with us as our first Olympic Ambassador.”

“It was a privilege to represent New Zealand as an athlete at previous Olympic Games and I’m honoured to be involved in New Zealand’s Beijing Olympic campaign in this way.” Danyon Loader says.

Sponsor announcements

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand, was officially welcomed to the New Zealand Olympic family as a new principal partner at the campaign launch event. Their sponsorship will support New Zealand athletes as they represent New Zealand at the Beijing Olympics 2008, Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010, Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 and London Olympics 2012.

Worldwide Olympic Games partner Samsung also announced that it will throw its weight behind the New Zealand Olympic team for 2008. In addition to extending its international Olympic commitment until 2016, Samsung New Zealand has increased its local financial support of the NZOC. It will provide support staff with the latest in mobile phone technology during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The new domestic sponsorship deal extends the leverage opportunities from mobile phone rights to refrigeration and washing machines.

The New Zealand Way, the joint venture between Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and custodians of the fern mark, are proud to be associated with the New Zealand Olympic Committee for the 29th Olympiad. The New Zealand Way will use the opportunity to strengthen trade and tourism opportunities between China and New Zealand

Television New Zealand will again play an integral role in New Zealand’s Olympic campaign, as an official partner to the New Zealand Olympic Committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. TVNZ has long been a proud supporter of the Olympic Games and the official rights holder to both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, bringing our proudest Olympic moments to the New Zealand public.

Getty Images, the world’s leading imagery company, was announced last night as the official photographer to the New Zealand Olympic Committee in an agreement that runs through until the end of 2008. Under the agreement, Getty Images will provide a photographic record of the lead-up and duration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

About the New Zealand Olympic Committee
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) is an independent organisation responsible for providing inspirational experiences for athletes at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Youth Games.

The NZOC actively promotes the history and values of the Olympic Movement through a wide variety of cultural and educational programmes, and operates according to the Olympic Charter and Commonwealth Games Constitution.

The NZOC is funded principally through corporate sponsorship, trusts, Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and the International Olympic Committee.

To find out more about the NZOC please visit www.olympic.org.nz

Beijing 2008
The Beijing Olympic Games takes place from 8 August to 24 September, 2008.

The New Zealand Games Team will include up to 300 athletes and support staff, and is likely to be the biggest team in 100 years of New Zealand’s Olympic Games participation. The Games team will also include New Zealand’s 1000th Olympian.

Olympic Week
Olympic Week is the week in which the founding of the Olympic Movement is celebrated around the world.

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