Launch of world’s largest multi-sport event

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 3 March 2009

Wellington launch of world’s largest multi-sport event tonight

Wellington sports personality Anne Hare will lead the call for Wellingtonians to compete at the world's largest multi-sport event when the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Roadshow rolls into New Zealand's capital city tonight.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee Board member and Women’s 5,000 Metres finalist at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics will join Games Chief Executive Officer Shane O'Leary on stage during the Games Roadshow public information session that gets under way at 6.30pm at the Mercure Hotel Wellington.

Per capita, New Zealand has been the best represented non-host nation at each of the six previous Games, with just under 300 New Zealanders making the 25,000-kilometre round trip to compete at the 2005 Games in Edmonton, Canada.

Already nearly 500 New Zealanders have registered for the 2009 Games in Sydney, with organisers expecting that number to triple for the Games from 10-18 October.

Mr O'Leary, who was in Auckland with the Games Roadshow yesterday and will also visit Dunedin and Christchurch later this week, says that people need only meet their sport's minimum age, which ranges between 25 and 35, to take part in the Games.

"This October, thousands of everyday people will have extraordinary experiences at the world's largest multi-sport event. You can be one of them," Mr O'Leary said.

"It doesn't matter how good or how old you are. Everyone's invited to take part in this great festival of sport. The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games are all about being fit, fun and forever young. Don't miss out on your opportunity of a lifetime."

ENDS

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