Olympics: Athletes bring wreaths home

At least three of the olive wreaths presented to New Zealand's Olympic medallists are being brought back into the country, after a change of stance by biosecurity officials.

Triathlon gold and silver medallists Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty, and Olympic cycling champion Sarah Ulmer all said on arrival in Auckland today that they had kept their wreaths.

Ulmer's would be brought to New Zealand by her mother.

However, Olympic rowing champions Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell decided to leave theirs behind in Greece.

New Zealand's other medallist, canoeist Ben Fouhy, who won silver, is still in Europe.

A Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) official had earlier said the wreaths could not be brought into New Zealand because the plant material posed a biosecurity risk.

However, manager of MAF's biosecurity authority plant imports team, Veronica Herrera, said today an irradiation treatment had been found to address the problem.

After being declared at the border, the wreaths would be treated and returned to the athletes after a few days, she said.

Although the process might lead to some discoloration of the leaves, it was the best available.

Ms Herrera said that, at the time the issue arose in the media, MAF had not been approached by any of the athletes and so had not had time to consider the options.

"But we're very happy that the whole thing is sorted out and the Olympians are happy."

Presentation of olive wreaths, a symbol of victory dating back to ancient times to all medal winners, was a special touch at the Athens Olympics.

New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie said the gesture was appreciated by the athletes.

"An olive wreath is a pretty special thing to have."

- NZPA