NZ Olympics team officially farewelled

7.00pm

The New Zealand Olympic team will be officially farewelled tonight before they embark on their trip to Athens.

Representatives of the team will also be presented with a Kakahu -- Maori cloak -- and two greenstone pendants .

A New Zealand Olympic Committee statement said the gifts celebrated New Zealand's unique cultural identity and would provide the team with inspiration and spiritual guidance on their journey to the home of the Olympic Games.

Tonight's function in Wellington will also launch the John L. Davies memorial scholarship.

A 1964 1500m bronze medallist, Davies was president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee from 2000 until his death last year.

The scholarship will enable aspiring athletes to attend future Olympics.

Non-Olympic athletes will also be celebrated tonight, with All Blacks captain Tana Umaga receiving the Pierre de Coubertin fair play trophy for aiding stricken Wales captain Colin Charvis in a test match last year, while multisport legend Steve Gurney will receive the International Olympic Committee's Trophy for sporting excellence.

- NZPA