New Zealanders are being asked to be the inspiration for New Zealands athletes as they prepare for Rio 2016.
The Rio 2016 Be the Inspiration campaign launches today at 3pm, the moment midnight strikes in Rio de Janeiro and twelve months out from the start of the Olympic Games.
An online digital hub forms the heart of the campaign. The Inspiration Hub features rare footage and video clips of New Zealands Olympic medal moments throughout history as well as words of inspiration and messages of good luck from New Zealanders both at home and overseas.
Visually, the Be the Inspiration campaign is a powerful representation of the athletes journey from New Zealand to the Olympic Games in Rio. Athletes on the road to Rio will also be involved on social media, using the campaign hashtag #BetheInspiration and benefiting from the well-wishes of New Zealanders, shared through the Inspiration Hub.
Videos of their journey to Rio will be uploaded to the Inspiration Hub in the build-up to the Games. New Zealanders who share their messages in the Inspiration Hub will go in the draw to win a trip for two to the Olympic Games next August.
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith says the twelve month Be the Inspiration campaign begins with New Zealanders inspiring athletes on their journey to Rio and ends with the athletes themselves inspiring New Zealanders.
New Zealand athletes are inspired by this country's land and people. Equally, New Zealanders themselves are inspired by the significant achievements of our athletes. They are at the heart of our proud sporting culture.
The Inspiration Hub is where New Zealanders messages of support and the stories of our proud Olympic history come together.
We look forward to hosting two lucky New Zealanders in Rio, too, she added, referring to the prize trip to the Rio Olympic Games. Olympic sailor Pete Burling is fully focused on his goal of Rio selection.
I have been in and around the ocean for as long as I can remember and it has been a huge part of my life. No two days are ever the same on the water and I love the different challenges it provides every day you are on it, said Burling.
Currently racing in Rio at the ISAF test event, Burling still looks forward to the excitement that stems from returning home to New Zealand waters.
With the amount of time we spend overseas now it makes you realise how lucky we are that we live in New Zealand - how nice it is and the advantages it provides us with, he said.
Also working hard for Rio selection is New Zealand boxer David Nyika. The 19-year old Olympic hopeful is more determined than ever to compete in Rio following his Commonwealth Games Gold medal last year. For a long time now competing at the Rio Olympic Games has been the ultimate goal. Since the Glasgow Commonwealth Games I have made the transition up into the heavyweight division. This has provided new challenges and provided me with renewed inspiration to improve. I now need to work harder than ever to be as strong as I possibly can. Rio is just around the corner and I want to be there, in the ring, in my best shape ready to take on the world, said Nyika.
New Zealanders will the see the campaign journey featured in New Zealand Olympic Teams social media and digital content, at Olympic events, in some Olympic partner campaigns and even in the athletes village in Rio.
Beginning with Te Mahutonga (the Southern Cross) in the night sky, the visual representation of the journey sees athletes travel across New Zealands majestic landscape to Rio, supported and inspired by their nation. The journey also references our motu (islands) and the maunga (mountains) as well as the pounamu (greenstone) and the long white clouds of Aotearoa (New Zealand). For the full story of the journey and the campaign story click here to view the e-book or, click here to view the launch video.
The Rio Olympic Games take place 5 21 August 2016. Competing alongside 10,500 athletes from 206 countries in up to 28 different sports, New Zealand is on track to field a team of more than 200, our biggest team yet. Rio 2016 will be the first Olympic Games in South America and rugby sevens will make its Olympic debut, with golf returning to the Olympic programme following a 112 year hiatus. The role of the New Zealand Olympic Committee is to select, organise and lead the team to the Olympic Games ensuring our athletes have the best possible conditions to achieve their goals and inspire pride and excellence in New Zealanders. New Zealand Olympic Team selections primarily take place March July 2016.