New Zealand's Olympic Chef de Mission has lifted the lid on some of the work that goes on behind the scenes to make the historic sporting event happen.
Avery, a former Olympian himself, is leading New Zealand's Paris team. He told Breakfast this morning: "Fortunately I don't have to organise it all. I lead the team, which is an amazing privilege.
"The overwhelming thought is just how enormous these events are, and the logistics and admin that has to go in behind the scenes to what you all see on TV, all the fun stuff.
"It's pretty amazing and hats off to the people that do that job."
He said preparations were tracking well so far.
"I think we're ahead of the game. Plans are in place to get the team there safely and bring them home safely, that's the prime goal.
"We've got all their details to make sure they get their accreditation and they show up at the right place at the right time, they've got a bed, they get a knife and a fork so they can eat, all those good things," Avery said.
"We're really comfortable with what's going on in Paris with the organising committee as well, they're doing a great job.
"They're ahead of schedule as well, so that's a really nice feeling going in at this stage."
Two security liaison officers are travelling with the team.
"Great couple of guys from the New Zealand police," Avery said. "They basically act as the bridge or the link between security, the intel, and us — so if something happens we get an early warning on that.
"They're not running around trying to stop shoplifting or whatever, they're acting as the bridge between the professional security that's in place — and it's pretty significant — and the team.
"It's gonna be an incredible event."
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