Tokyo 2020

The team departs Tokyo with 20 medals – 7 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze. The total surpassing the previous record medal tally of 18, set by the team that competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The most gold medals New Zealand has ever won at an Olympics is eight, in Los Angeles in 1984. This team to Tokyo team is next with 7, followed by the team in London in 2012 which won 6.

The medals were won across 11 sports, including gymnastics (trampolining) for the first time. Eleven of the 20 medals were won by women.

By winning five medals in Tokyo, three of them gold, rowing confirmed itself as New Zealand’s most successful Olympic sport in terms of medals, with 29, followed by athletics (26), sailing (23) and canoeing (15).

The hosting of the games was very uncertain due to the worldwide covid pandemic that struck in 2020. The games were delayed 12 months to ensure the athletes could compete however this meant there were no international spectators at the games.

The Tokyo 2020 Games showcased the evolution of the Olympic programme, introducing new sports and events that strengthened the timeless appeal of the Olympic Games for a new generation. Tokyo 2020's 339 events in 33 sports—the most in Olympic history—included the Olympic debut of sports such as skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and karate, as well as events such as BMX freestyle and 3x3 basketball.

NZ Team Facts
NZ Athletes: 222
NZ Sports: 22
Medalled Sports: 11
Top 8 Finish: 60%
Top 16 Finish: 93%