Moments to inspire Olympic success

Dave Currie. File photo / Kenny Rodger

New Zealanders are being asked to share their proudest moments to inspire New Zealand athletes competing at next year's London Olympic Games.

The campaign for the 2012 games was launched in Auckland by chef de mission Dave Currie who said athletes would draw on the success of our nation to make them proud and achieve their goals.

Outstanding New Zealanders including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Russell Coutts, Dick Frizzell, Barbara Kendall and Split Enz band member Mike Chunn have signed on to be part of the campaign and share their proudest moments with New Zealand.

"New Zealand has a proud Olympic history, but we also have incredible success in the arts, business, music and science," said Currie.

"This campaign is about making our athletes proud and inspiring them to succeed.

"We will do this by asking New Zealanders to tell us when they were most proud to be a New Zealander."

Olympic ambassador Sarah Ulmer says the campaign will help athletes achieve success on the world's stage.

"To know that you come from a proud nation with a history of achievement gives you an edge," she said.

Making Us Proud is a 16-month long campaign that offers New Zealanders opportunities to be proud and asks them to share their stories.

As part of the campaign, New Zealanders will also be asked to help choose a team anthem for the London Olympic Games, participate in designing the uniform, cheer the team on at Olympic Live Sites in New Zealand and compete to win the chance to welcome the team home with an official parade.

In London, New Zealanders can take part in a Haka in Hyde Park, celebrate the Olympic opening ceremony and cheer on the team at New Zealand House. New Zealanders are asked to share their proud moments through www.NZ2012.com and the team's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube communities.

- NZPA