Hon Grant Robertson
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson has congratulated New Zealand’s Olympic Team on making history at the
Tokyo Olympic Games.
“New Zealand athletes have made history at the Tokyo Olympic Games winning 20 medals. Medals were achieved across eleven
sports, the broadest range of success in New Zealand Olympic history.”
Previously, the most successful Olympics for New Zealanders was at Rio in 2016, when 18 medals were won.
“I am enormously proud of our New Zealand athletes who rose above the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on their training
schedules and competition cycles to deliver outstanding performances.
“They competed in Tokyo without their friends and families on the sidelines of their events, which would have made it
even more challenging. In their absence the support staff on the ground have played a very important role in our success
at these Games.
“This was an Olympics like no other with significant operational and safety challenges and I would like to commend Japan
and the International Olympic Committee for delivering an event of this magnitude despite the challenges of the global
pandemic.
“I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the ‘team behind the team’ who have not only done a phenomenal job of
ensuring all our athletes were ready and able to perform at their peak, but were able to travel and compete safely at
the Games.
“I particularly acknowledge the NZ Olympic Committee; President Mike Stanley, Chief Executive Kereyn Smith and their
team including Chef De Mission Rob Waddell. High Performance Sport NZ, the National Sporting Organisations, and Sport NZ
have also worked tirelessly to ensure athletes were well prepared and that our athletes, coaches and support staff were
kept healthy and safe in Tokyo.
“Our attention now turns to the upcoming Paralympic Games and the team of Para athletes heading to Tokyo to find their
own success on the world stage and continue to make New Zealanders proud,” Grant Robertson said.