The History of New Zealand at the Olympics
New Zealand first competed in the Olympics in London in 1908. They will now be heading back to London 104 years later. New Zealand competed in 1908 in an Australasian team. Harry Kerr won a bronze medal for the 3500 metres walk, which is New Zealand's first ever Olympic medal.
New Zealand's first Olympic gold medallist was swimmer Malcolm Champion. Malcolm was a member of the Australasian 4x200 metre relay team which won the gold in the Stockholm Olympic games in 1912.
New Zealand entered their first female athlete, Violet Walrond, in 1920 Antwerp Olympic games. Violet was a swimmer and came 5th in the 100m freestyle final, she came 3rd in her heat.
In 1924 New Zealand won its first Olympic track medal. Arthur Porritt took the bronze in the 100 metre sprint at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
In the 1936 Berlin Olympics Jack Lovelock won Gold in the 1500m with a time of 3.47.
In the 1952 Helsinki Olympics New Zealand’s first female Olympic medallist, Yvette Williams, won gold in Long Jump with a jump of 6.24 m.
In the 1960 Rome Olympics it was considered a 'gold day' for the New Zealand runners, Peter Snell won the 800m and then minutes later Murray Halberg won the 5000m!
In the 1964 Tokyo Peter Snell won the 1500m and the 800m!
In the 1976 Montreal Olympics John Walker won the 1500m.
New Zealand have had a number of amazing athletes competiting in the Olympics, we have had the likes of Sarah Ulmer, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, Mahe Drysdale and so many more!
To read more information about the history of the Olympics go to:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/olympics/
New Zealand's first Olympic gold medallist was swimmer Malcolm Champion. Malcolm was a member of the Australasian 4x200 metre relay team which won the gold in the Stockholm Olympic games in 1912.
New Zealand entered their first female athlete, Violet Walrond, in 1920 Antwerp Olympic games. Violet was a swimmer and came 5th in the 100m freestyle final, she came 3rd in her heat.
In 1924 New Zealand won its first Olympic track medal. Arthur Porritt took the bronze in the 100 metre sprint at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
In the 1936 Berlin Olympics Jack Lovelock won Gold in the 1500m with a time of 3.47.
In the 1952 Helsinki Olympics New Zealand’s first female Olympic medallist, Yvette Williams, won gold in Long Jump with a jump of 6.24 m.
In the 1960 Rome Olympics it was considered a 'gold day' for the New Zealand runners, Peter Snell won the 800m and then minutes later Murray Halberg won the 5000m!
In the 1964 Tokyo Peter Snell won the 1500m and the 800m!
In the 1976 Montreal Olympics John Walker won the 1500m.
New Zealand have had a number of amazing athletes competiting in the Olympics, we have had the likes of Sarah Ulmer, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, Mahe Drysdale and so many more!
To read more information about the history of the Olympics go to:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/olympics/
