Swimming Junior World Champion in the 50m backstroke and world record holder, Gabrielle Fa'amausili has been announced as flag bearer for the New Zealand Youth Olympic Games Team in Nanjing 2014.
The announcement was made at a function held at the New Zealand Club in Nanjing, China attended by NZ Deputy Consulate-General Brian Hewson, and around 100 team members and supporters.
Faamausili had been selected for the role by team Chef de Mission Christine Arthur who said the 14-year old junior world record holder was a strong role model for the team.
"We wanted someone who is an elite performer and an outstanding role model for our team. She is gracious, genuine and humble," Arthur said.
"As well as being a NZ and world record holder, she also has been recognised as the people's choice award winner at the NZ swimming awards and winner of the Emerging talent category at the Halberg Awards."
Arthur said in addition to her significant sporting achievements Faamausili also possessed mana and had the confidence to engage and communicate with the whole New Zealand team. She had been nominated by Swimming New Zealand and chosen by Arthur and her team for the honour.
While the athletes and staff supported Fa'amausili with enthusiastic applause and a spontaneous haka, the flag bearer herself was surprised by the selection.
"It's a massive honour, especially to be chosen from amongst this many amazing athletes," she said.
This is the second ever Youth Olympic Games and the first multi-platform sporting event for many of the New Zealand athletes. Fa'amausili said that the Games are "a good pathway to lead up to the Olympic Games."
"It's amazing to get all the youth together around the world and give them the experience of the Olympics," she said.
As flag bearer, Fa'amausili will be representing New Zealand in the Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony attended by some 60,000 spectators, which will take place at 8pm on Saturday, August 16.?
Competition begins on 17 August with Faamausili taking on international athletes in the backstroke, alongside fellow swimmers Bobbi Gichard and Michael Mincham. Hockey and Triathlon also get underway on day one of competition.
