KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand men's and women's teams have deservedly been handed places in the Olympics.
As Oceania champions, New Zealand teams were guaranteed direct entry to Beijing, but it was still subject to endorsement by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
That was given this week, assuring the Stu
Jacobs-coached under-23 men and John Herdman's women of their places.
There had been some doubt, given the women had got through with a 2-0 win over Papua New Guinea and the men had taken the honours with an unbeaten run against Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Cooks in qualifying. But it was neither team's fault Australia had joined the Asia federation, making the passage easier.
It will be the first time a New Zealand team has stepped on to the soccer stage at an Olympics.
The detractors will say they are on a hiding to nothing, and that might prove to be the case, but they have followed the path laid down by the sport's governing body and in meeting Fifa's criteria deserve their chance.
Selectors Barry Maister (also NZOC secretary-general), Simon Wickham (former Yachting NZ chief executive, now boss at Trusts Stadium) and former Rowing NZ boss (now Millennium Institute of Sport and Health chief) Mike Stanley endorsed the nominations.
This allows the soccer teams to join the men's and women's hockey teams and the New Zealand women basketballers - the men have yet to play their final qualifier - in what potentially promises to be the biggest New Zealand Olympic team.
In agreeing to submit the women's soccer team's nomination to the International Olympic Committee, the NZOC noted: "The team did not meet the NZO selection standards but did meet the international federation [Fifa] standard." In such cases, the matter is referred to the NZOC board.
The board voted unanimously to say yes to the women's football team, believing their appearance is a critical step on the road to London 2012.
In reaching their decision, it was pointed out that women's football has the highest participation levels for a New Zealand sport for girls under 13 years old.
Given the stance of former Olympic selector Bruce Cameron, who spoke out against the selection of the New Zealand women's basketball team for the 2004 Athens Olympics - and gave up his long-held place on the selection panel when he was over-ruled (the team went on to finish eighth) - it was always likely the new panel would tick the appropriate boxes.
The teams have been given their chance. It is now up to New Zealand Football to give them every opportunity.
A top eight finish would at least justify the selections.
