Olympic countdown hits major milestone

Volkswagen supports Olympic hopefuls, New Zealand sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling. Photo / Supplied

200 days from the Rio Olympic Games, Volkswagen and the NZOC discuss why great partners matter.

With today marking 200 days until the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Volkswagen New Zealand reaffirms its long-standing partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

Volkswagen General Manager Tom Ruddenklau says his team is passionate about supporting Kiwi athletes to compete on the world stage.

"We partnered with the New Zealand Olympic Committee prior to the Olympic Games in 2012 and we've continued to back our Olympic athletes in their pursuit of success at Rio.

"The partnership demonstrates our ongoing commitment to New Zealand's Olympic efforts and this is something we'll look to continue into the future," says Ruddenklau.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee and Volkswagen's shared values have seen the partnership go from strength to strength says Kereyn Smith, New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO.

"We're proud to have had Volkswagen supporting our team for more than four years. Like our very driven athletes, Volkswagen is committed to excellence and performance and they've been right behind us as our team prepares to compete on the world stage at Rio 2016," says Smith.

As the New Zeland Olympic Committee prepares for Rio, the coming months will see the organisation encouraging Kiwis around the country to be inspired as part of the build up to the Games.

"Having Kiwis at home cheer our team on in Rio means the world to our athletes when they're competing in one of the most important moments of their lives.

"Our partnership with Volkswagen is vital to help us get around the country to get New Zealanders engaged as we count down to Rio," says Smith.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has been enabling the country's athletes to achieve at the highest level since it was founded in 1911. This long heritage in New Zealand is something the organisation shares with Volkswagen says Smith.

"We've been sending New Zealand teams to the Olympic Games for more than a century.

"It is fortunate for us us that Volkswagen also has a long-standing presence here, being a part of our country for more than 60 years," says Smith.

"We rely on partners like Volkswagen for the revenue we need to deliver our teams to the Olympic Games. Their support is key to our Olympic success."

The partnership has also led to Volkswagen supporting a number of Olympic hopefuls on an individual basis, including sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, and New Zealand hockey player Simon Child.

Volkswagen's support helps these athletes get to training and events around the country as they ramp up their preparations for Rio.

Blair Tuke has been a Volkswagen ambassador since 2012 and currently drives an Amarok 4WD. He says having access to this vehicle is a huge help for his busy training life.

"It's been a huge support having Volkswagen as a sponsor over the last few years. There are so many good things about being able to drive an Amarok, particularly the rear tray for putting all my sailing gear in," says Tuke.