LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Meet some talented Kiwi women leading the charge in Tokyo

Kiwi flag bearers

This year, instead of the traditional solo flag bearer leading our champions into the Olympic stadium, two athletes have been chosen to proudly wave the national banner.

Black Ferns captain Sarah Hirini, 28, is only the third woman to be named as flag bearer for a Summer Games, and shares that representing the “New Zealand team at the Opening Ceremony is such a huge honour”.

By her side will be two-time Olympic gold medallist Hamish Bond, 35, who feels privileged to be a part of this great legacy.

“If you look back on the people who have been our flag bearers over the years, it’s a pretty amazing bunch of athletes, so to be bestowed this opportunity is really special to me,” he says.

After the Olympic Games was delayed due to the Covid pandemic, our nation’s greatest athletes put their dreams of glory on hold, not knowing when or if they would get their shot. Now, with an extra year of training under their belts, New Zealand’s largest-ever Olympic team is more than ready to bring home the medals.

In this Olympic special, we look at some of the inspiring Kiwi women who are competing for a place on the podium. From the highly decorated to first-time Olympians, to how Covid will change the competition, the Weekly has all you need to know about an Olympic Games like no other.

VALERIE ADAMS

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