Athletics: Home fans will see Willis finally get Olympic silver

Nick Willis. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Nick Willis will be presented with his Beijing Olympics 1500m silver medal at the international track meet in Christchurch on February 26.

Willis finished third in one of the glamour events of the 2008 Beijing Games, but was upgraded to second after the disqualification of the gold medallist, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain, for doping.

The original silver medal that arrived had previously been presented to second-place finisher Asbel Kiprop of Kenya, and showed signs of wear and tear.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee asked the International Olympic Committee to mint a new silver medal for Willis.

Although the new medal arrived in New Zealand in mid-2010, Willis had expressed the wish to be presented with the award in front of a home crowd.

He was delighted when the details of the presentation ceremony were confirmed.

"Having the medal presented here will be a great honour," he said.

"Considering the circumstances that have led to this point, I couldn't think of a more fitting way to celebrate the experience I had that night in Beijing.

"To share the medal with the country is what motivated me down that home straight run, and now I get to share the medal ceremony with everyone back home."

Willis will compete in his favoured 1500m distance at the Christchurch meet with the aim of securing a qualifying time for the world championships in Daegu, South Korea, in August.

- NZPA