Track cyclist Aaron Gate and sailor Jo Aleh have been named as the New Zealand Team's flagbearers at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The pair were formally announced as Ngā Pou Hapai Tāne and Wāhine by chef de mission Nigel Avery at a team function attended by athletes, team support, partners and dignitaries in Paris on Thursday night (Friday NZ Time).
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Gate, Olympian No 1146, won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and will become a four-time Olympian in Paris. He is one of our most-decorated ever Commonwealth Games athletes, with six medals, including the four gold he won at Birmingham 2022.
“This is a really special moment and one that definitely took me by surprise,” said Gate.
“It doesn’t feel like that long ago that I was racing at the London Olympics, it’s been a bit of a journey and I’ll be extremely proud to carry the flag for the New Zealand Team and represent what it means to be a Kiwi.
“Sport has always been a big part of my life and the Olympics is the pinnacle, for me it’s all about inspiring Kiwis to get out there and have a crack themselves. I’ll be going out there to do my absolute best and do everyone proud.”
Aleh, Olympian No 992, is a two-time Olympic medallist, having won gold at London 2012 and silver at Rio 2016 alongside crewmate Polly Powrie. Aleh has since teamed up with Rio silver medallist Molly Meech, with the pair set to compete in the 49er FX.
“I remember, as a 10-year-old, watching Barbara Kendall lead the New Zealand Team at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Games. To be given the opportunity to be a flagbearer myself is something I never thought possible,” said Aleh.
“Since that day, I have witnessed many of our greatest Olympians wave the New Zealand flag at the Olympics, and I am extremely honoured to have the chance to lead the team, alongside Aaron, at Paris 2024.
“Hopefully, I can help inspire the next generation of Kiwi athletes and show that anything is possible if you are brave enough to chase your dreams, back yourself through the ups and downs, and, most importantly, always keep smiling."
Aleh was presented with Te Māhutonga, the first of the New Zealand team’s kākahu (cloak), by Avery and Dame Cindy Kiro in front of Olympic teammates, friends and family.
Gate was unable to attend the team function as he prepares for the Games from his Swiss training base. He will be presented with kākahu Te Hono Ki Matariki at the New Zealand Team residence in the Olympic Village on Friday.
Avery said Aleh and Gate were chosen as flagbearers as they exemplify the values and culture of the New Zealand Team.
“Both Aaron and Jo are leaders in sport and in their communities, they are truly great New Zealanders,” said Avery. “They display the values and manaaki of the New Zealand Team on the field of play and in their day-to-day lives.
The function was held at New Zealand House, which has just opened at The Marriott on the Champs-Elysees. New Zealand House will serve as a supporter hub for friends and family of the New Zealand Team.
The flagbearers are chosen by the chef de mission, taking into account a wide range of factors, including past performances, ability to lead and inspire New Zealand athletes, competition preparation and performance standards.
It will be the third time a male and female athlete (Te Pou Hapai Wahine, Te Pou Hapai Tane) have jointly carried the New Zealand flag at an Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, with a change in Games rules allowing for the naming of both a male and a female flagbearer.
A New Zealand Team of four athletes was led into the 1924 Paris Olympic Games by Sir Arthur Porritt, who claimed bronze in the 100m event 100 years ago and made famous by Chariots of Fire.
New Zealand is set to be represented by 195 athletes, competing across 23 sports, at Paris 2024. Day one of competition begins on July 27, with the Games running until August 11.
The Opening Ceremony, along the River Seine, is scheduled to start at 7.30pm local time on Friday (5.30am Saturday NZT).