Athletics: First NZ athletes check into games village

The first New Zealand athletes, six gymnasts, checked into the Manchester Commonwealth Games village today.

New Zealand team spokesman Gordon Irving said the gymnasts were a "bit shattered" after flying direct from Auckland and went to bed early after arriving at the village at 4pm (local time).

Gymnasts Alethea Boon, Kate Brocklehurst, Belinda Castles, Daniel Good, Garrick Rowe and Nicki Wells are accompanied by a manager and three coaches.

Several members of New Zealand's headquarters team have been in Manchester for the last week, "Kiwifying" the New Zealand section of the village.

The entrance to New Zealand's quarters has a Maori-carved lintel and New Zealand flag above it.

Irving said all the village facilities were ready for the athletes, though there had been some teething problems with phone and internet connections.

New Zealand will have their biggest-ever Commonwealth Games team in Manchester, with 202 athletes and 101 officials, coaches, medical and other support staff.

- NZPA

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

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