Olympics: New Zealand hoping for 100th medal

New Zealand Olympic medal winners from left, Hayden Ralston, Mahe Drysdale,Georgina Evers-Swindell, George Bridgewater, Valerie Vili, Nathan Twaddle and Caroline Evers-Swindell pictured at the China 2008 Olympics. Photo / Kenny Rodger

New Zealand won its first Olympic medal in London in 1908 and the New Zealand Olympic Committee believe it would be appropriate and realistic to expect the country to win its 100th medal at this year's London Games.

Today the NZOC launched their countdown to the Olympics in Auckland, attended by a handful of past and present Olympians, with tomorrow representing six months before the start of the Games (July 27 to August 12).

Between 170 and 200 New Zealand athletes are expected to compete in London - the number of teams that qualify will have a significant bearing on this - across 17 sports, and the NZOC have a policy that athletes must demonstrate they have the potential to finish in the top 16 to earn selection.

New Zealand's first Olympic medal was won at the 1908 London Olympics by Harry Kerr in the 3500m walk. Since then, that tally has increased to 90 (89 summer and one Winter Olympics).

New Zealand picked up nine medals in Beijing four years ago and NZOC Secretary General Kereyn Smith said winning the 100th is a realistic goal for London.

"There are 22 athletes or teams sitting in the top three in the world at the moment and, typically, you would expect a good conversion rate," she said. "For the NZOC, the whole idea of aiming for 100 medals is a nice target.

"Having the first medal in London and then possibly getting the 100th seems appropriate. It's achievable and I think everyone in New Zealand would be pretty disappointed if we don't achieve that."

Rowing and cycling are expected to contribute a significant proportion of those, and the rowers are due to be in the next batch of athletes to be announced on March 3.

So far 12 sailors have been confirmed for London, and announcements will be made up until early July.