First New Zealand Team athletes welcomed to Olympic Village

The first New Zealand Team athletes have been welcomed to the Olympic Village ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.

The men's hockey team were the first to arrive and were welcomed with the haka of the New Zealand team, Pou Tangata.

The hockey team performed the haka back, before each choosing their own pounanmu pendant with one of the necklaces gifted to every team member.

"It was really special," said Hugo Inglis.

"This is my fourth Olympic Games but it never gets old, it's such a specail team environment and it's great to be here and be about to get into competition."

The men's rugby sevens team was the next to be welcommed, ahead of canoe slalom athletes Luuka Jones and Finn Butcher, and gymnast Georgia Rose Brown.

"It's incredible," said Jones, who is set to compete at her fifth Olympic Games in Paris.

"It's so special walking through the gates of the village and seeing all the teams and then coming to the New Zealand area and seeing our setup is so cool. I think this one's going to be a really special Games."

New Zealand Team Chef de Mission Nigel Avery says it's fantastic to have the first athletes in the village.

"We've been busy setting up for the last week so it's great to now have athletes here and ready to go," said Avery.

"We're expecting an amazing Games and to all the New Zealanders back home I'd just like to say that the team really feels your support so please keep it up and get behind us as we pull on the fern and compete for New Zealand."

Competition starts on July 24th with the men's rugby sevens and men's football teams the first in action.

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