Wanted: new Chef de Mission
WELLINGTON: The NZOC has begun the search for the Birmingham 2022 New Zealand team Chef de Mission as gold medalwinning former Olympian Rob Waddell steps down after eight years in the role.
Waddell, a threetime Olympic rower and gold medallist at Sydney 2000 in the single sculls, led the New Zealand team to two Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020) and two Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018).
An announcement on the new Chef de Mission for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is expected before the end of October.
NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith said Waddell had been an outstanding Chef de Mission and will be missed by athletes and sports.
‘‘Rob absolutely was a champion for, and on behalf of, athletes and the New Zealand Team. I would like to express a huge amount of gratitude to Rob for the work he’s done to help make these Games campaigns some of our most successful.
‘‘Rob has been extremely committed to the New Zealand Team and has always gone above and beyond, often in challenging circumstances, to create an environment which allows New Zealand’s elite athletes to perform at their peak. Notably in Rio, despite challenging conditions he ensured the Olympic Village was up to standard by the time New Zealand Team athletes arrived.
‘‘More recently in Tokyo, Rob helped to oversee detailed planning for our team which kept our athletes and support team safe, while also allowing them to secure our biggest ever medal haul,’’ Smith said.
‘‘It’s been a real privilege and an honour to have been trusted with leading our Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams,’’ Waddell said.
‘‘I’ve particularly enjoyed working with the athletes and wider team to create such a unique New Zealand Team environment. It’s something we’re all really proud to be a part of and I’m really thrilled with what we’ve achieved from Glasgow through to Tokyo.
‘‘I’ve loved my time in the role and will miss it but am now looking forward to spending a bit more time with my family and contributing to our community in other ways.’’ — RNZ