Commonwealth catwalk first event for athletes

Games models are (left) Bevan Docherty (triathlon), Honor Dillon (hockey), Stacey Carr (hockey), Don MacDonald (athletics), Brad Shaw (hockey) and Chris Donaldson (athletics). Picture / Kenny Rodger

Triathlete Bevan Docherty confessed yesterday that he had been under a strict training regime as he prepared for his catwalk debut.

"I spent a lot of time watching the E! channel [Sky TV's celebrity gossip channel]. You just stand around and look casual," he said, moments after stepping down from the purpose-built catwalk at Waitakere Trusts Stadium.

The Olympic silver medallist took to the stage in West Auckland to launch the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team uniform.

Created by adidas designers, with input from athletes including Hamish Carter and Corney Swanepoel, the tracksuits, vests, T-shirts and shorts will be worn by 86 athletes representing New Zealand in Melbourne in March.

And the design team have mixed function and fashion while ensuring tradition is at the heart of the uniforms - they are largely black and white.

But a silver fern has been incorporated, designed by Derek Lardelli, the Gisborne artist who composed the All Blacks' controversial throat-slitting haka last year.

Adidas New Zealand managing director Greig Bramwell said the clothing had been designed to mix function and fashion.

Yesterday the Queen's Baton Relay left New Zealand. By the time it arrives in Melbourne it will be the longest relay in history, travelling across the globe for one year and one day. It will have visited all 71 nations of the Commonwealth.

Among those modelling the outfits yesterday were hockey players Honor Dillon and Brad Shaw and Stacey Carr, and sprinters Don MacDonald and Chris Donaldson.

To a pop music medley they all performed a creditable, if uncomfortable-looking, catwalk show.

But despite his starring role, Docherty said he would not be swapping careers just yet.

"I'll stick to triathlons. It's not quite my domain on the catwalk, but even if we do badly, we'll look good doing it."