A pair of reigning world indoor champions and two former Olympic medallists have earned selection as part of the initial 15-strong athletics team set to compete at Paris 2024.
The team will welcome back pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, who last competed on the Olympic stage when winning bronze as a teenager at Rio 2016. The New Zealand record-holder has had her injury struggles in recent years, but managed to grab the world indoor silver medal in Glasgow last month.
“I started this Olympic campaign knowing full well I may never go to the Olympics again, so to have reached this point is incredibly special and a huge honour," said McCartney.
"I'm a completely different athlete, things are way more intentional and controlled and I'm really drawing on my past experience."
McCartney will be joined on the New Zealand team by two young pole-vaulters both making their Olympic debuts. Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Imogen Ayris and Olivia McTaggart will travel to Paris subject to the pair meeting performance conditions.
High jumper Hamish Kerr has earned selection for a second crack at the Olympic Games, fresh from his world indoor high jump gold medal and national record performance of 2.36m in Glasgow last month.
Long distance runner George Beamish is set to make his Olympic debut in the men’s 3000m steeplechase – becoming the first Kiwi steeplechaser at an Olympic Games for 40 years. He is New Zealand’s other current world indoor champion
Tom Walsh has two Olympic bronze medals to his name, claiming the podium finish at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and will return for a third successive Olympic appearance in the men’s shot.
Walsh is joined by fellow shot-putter Jacko Gill who will also feature at his third Olympic games.
Further bolstering the New Zealand shot challenge is Maddi Wesche, who is set for her second Olympic appearance. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic sixth place finisher and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist produced the longest throw of her career with a 19.62m effort to place fourth at the world indoor championships last month.
World indoor 60m fourth place finisher Zoe Hobbs is also set for her Olympic debut as she becomes the first Kiwi to be selected in the women’s 100m at an Olympic Games since 1976.
“It’s so exciting,” said Hobbs. “I’ve had the dream of going to the Olympics since I was a little kid, I’ve been doing sports since the age of five and it’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve," said Hobbs.
Sam Tanner, the New Zealand all-time number two for the 1500m and mile, has earned selection for a second successive Olympic Games while Camille French has booked her ticket for Paris in the marathon.
Three further throwers will also feature in Paris - Connor Bell (men’s discus), Tori Peeters (women’s javelin) and Lauren Bruce (women’s hammer, subject to additional conditions).
The team is rounded out by Ethan Olivier, 18, who is set to become the first New Zealand triple jumper to compete at an Olympic Games since Dave Norris at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
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