Auckland fan zone to provide 24-7 Olympic coverage

The fan zone at Atrium on Takutai Square will provide coverage on seven screens day and night throughout the event. Photo / AP

A fan zone is being set up in central Auckland for 24-7 coverage of the London Olympics.

With just three days to go, official sponsor Samsung announced it has sponsored the fan zone at the Britomart complex in downtown Auckland.

The fan zone at Atrium on Takutai Square would provide coverage on seven screens day and night throughout the event.

Coverage would also be projected onto the side of the Stanbeth House building during evenings as well as a special 'Gold Moments' presentation, including Sir John Walker's triumph in the 1976 Montreal games.

Walker was the first person to run the mile in under three minutes, 50 seconds and won the 1500m race at the Montreal games.

The fan zone is set to open on Friday following an official launch party.

Samsung NZ sales director Jon Barrell said the fan zone would give Kiwis a place to engage with what's going on in London.

"We are focusing on showing as much of the Kiwi team in action as we can but it's also about providing people with a genuine link to the athletes.

"The fan zone gives people the opportunity to write messages and send them to the Olympic Village in London for our athletes to read," said Mr Barrell.

The fan zone would also feature an installation on a lawn area where passers-by could measure up to images of New Zealand athletes competing in shot put, rowing, swimming and running.

An official Olympic torch will also be at the fan zone once the Games are under way.