Friday, April 6, 2012

London 2012: The Countdown Series: New Zealand

109 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: New Zealand (NZL).


New Zealand first participated in the summer Olympics in 1908, with Australia together. At Antwerp 1920, New Zealand first participated as an independent nation. A total of 86 medals have been won by Kiwi athletes in these summer games, including 36 gold medals.


Ian Ferguson (pictured) has the most individual gold medals in the summer games among Kiwi athletes, with four. The canoeist won three golds at Los Angeles 1984 in the 500m kayak singles and doubles and in the 1000m kayak fours. He repeated his win in the 500m kayak doubles at Seoul 1988.

Two Kiwi athletes-Peter Snell and Paul MacDonald-have three gold medals each. Snell won gold in the men's 800m (athletics) at Rome 1960 and Tokyo 1964, and in the men's 1500m (athletics) at Tokyo 1964. MacDonald, a canoeist, won gold in the 500m kayak doubles at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, and in the 1000m kayak fours at Los Angeles 1984.


The Evers-Swindell twins-Caroline and Georgina (pictured)-are among seven Kiwi athletes that have won two gold medals in the summer games. Here are those seven who won two gold medals in the summer games for New Zealand:
  • Simon Dickie (rowing)
  • Dick Joyce (rowing)
  • Alan Thompson (canoeing)
  • Mark Todd (equestrianism)
  • Danyon Loader (swimming)
  • Caroline Evers Swindell (rowing)
  • Georgina Evers Swindell (rowing)
At the team level, men's (field) hockey won gold at Montreal 1976, defeating Australia in the gold medal game.

As of now, 162 Kiwis are headed to London to compete in 12 events, including various athletics and swimming events, as well as taekwondo and cycling. Men's and women's (field)  hockey have qualified for the London games, as is the women's football (soccer) team.

Up next: Nigeria

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