New Zealand's participants in the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games triathlon depart for China tonight, embarking on what promises to be a remarkable Olympic experience, living in the Athletes Village and sharing the event with hundreds of other nationalities and cultures.
Dan Hoy (Auckland) and Lizzie Stannard (Palmerston North) will race for New Zealand in Nanjing, in both the individual and team events and will travel with Tri NZ appointed coach Nathan Richmond in a trip that promises to be much more than just another triathlon.
"As we get closer to the event the magnitude of financial investment, infrastructure and personnel involved is impressive, and I think the athletes are in for a real treat and yet a real challenge on so many levels," said Richmond.
"While we leave with personal goals and aspirations of success for New Zealand, the Youth Olympic Games provides the opportunity for these athletes to perform on a world stage in an Olympic environment – albeit at a youth level. I know that both Lizzie and Dan are incredibly excited and will conduct themselves to the best of their ability."
The Youth Olympic Games is for athletes aged 15 to 18 and Hoy will be amongst the youngest on the start line having just turned 16 in June. With a bronze medal at the Osaka Asian Cup sprint race in early July, the trip to Nanjing however holds a great deal of anticipation away from the actual race itself.
"The bags are packed and as it is almost time to leave it's becoming very exciting and real. Flying as a New Zealand Olympic team will be the first experience of being in the team and seeing how everything is done. I am really looking forward to getting to the village and settling in to what will be our home for the three weeks.
"The experience alone of wearing the fern at the Olympics will be amazing. With the host country being China this will I'm sure mean a lot of the normal pre, during and post-race happenings will be a little different to what we are used to. I'm really looking forward to these challenges though, learning all about their culture and dealing with such extreme heat as well."
Richmond of course knows what it is to race at an Olympic Games, the 35 year old was a member of the team in Athens.
"On a personal note I am really looking forward to represent New Zealand again at the largest youth sports festival, this time in the capacity of Triathlon coach. I am incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to put on the NZ silver Fern and Olympic rings again."
Tri NZ High Performance Director Graeme Maw says the athletes are in for a great and yet challenging experience, one that extends very much beyond the normal scope of their sport.
"We are all looking forward to a fantastic event and I know there is great excitement amongst the small but proud team representing Tri NZ and New Zealand. Dan and Lizzie will certainly be striving to perform to their very best, and Nathan is a coach with the skills and experience of these sorts of environments to put them in the best position to do so.
"The Youth Olympics is however the very epitome of sport being an enriching life experience, so the internationalism and learning must come through. I don't think the Olympic values of 'Excellence Friendship & Respect' have more meaning than for an event such as this. Nathan is on that learning curve as well, moving from former international athlete with his own Olympic experience to working with young athletes as a coach and passing on his experience, they will all take a great deal from their time in Nanjing I am sure."
17 year old Lizzie Stannard has been preparing for the sudden change in conditions by training at Massey University in their purpose built heat chamber.
"I have spent time on the treadmill in the heat chamber. Basically it is a room with really thick walls and controlled heating so you can set the temperature and conditions you want. I can't say it is fun but it will be helpful for when I get to China for sure.
"I am definitely nervous and excited now, everything is coming together and I am ready to go with the packing almost done. I am trying not to think about the Youth Olympics too much as a huge race as that could then become a bit stressful, but I am definitely looking forward to the whole experience of living in the village, mixing with the other nations and soaking up the atmosphere."
The New Zealand triathletes will depart tonight (11:45pm flight) to Shanghai along with others from different sports on the New Zealand team.
