1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:12,307 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:12,947 --> 00:00:15,747 Speaker 2: Let's get you to Paris as the Olympics are set 4 00:00:15,787 --> 00:00:19,187 Speaker 2: to get underway properly tonight. Heaps of kiwis in action 5 00:00:19,667 --> 00:00:21,467 Speaker 2: on day one. I'll run through some of those in 6 00:00:21,507 --> 00:00:24,267 Speaker 2: a moment, but Schef the mission, Nigel Avery is standing 7 00:00:24,267 --> 00:00:28,307 Speaker 2: by and joins us now from Paris. Nigel, we've got 8 00:00:28,307 --> 00:00:30,387 Speaker 2: the opening ceremony out of the way. How much of 9 00:00:30,427 --> 00:00:34,787 Speaker 2: a successful Olympics is about actually getting to the start line? 10 00:00:35,347 --> 00:00:37,387 Speaker 3: Well, you all, Het, Hey, Jason, thanks for your time. 11 00:00:37,667 --> 00:00:40,907 Speaker 3: Thanks for inviting me on the show. You know it's 12 00:00:40,947 --> 00:00:43,747 Speaker 3: giving us that line is pretty important clearly, and in 13 00:00:43,787 --> 00:00:47,387 Speaker 3: the B shape possible ultimately is what we're trying to achieve. 14 00:00:48,307 --> 00:00:50,627 Speaker 2: So tell us about the shape that you arrive and 15 00:00:50,707 --> 00:00:53,387 Speaker 2: are you happy with where you are as the games 16 00:00:53,467 --> 00:00:54,747 Speaker 2: proper are about to begin? 17 00:00:56,147 --> 00:00:59,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so. You know, he's very excited clearly, 18 00:01:01,187 --> 00:01:03,547 Speaker 3: you know, now sort of crunch time where you know, 19 00:01:03,627 --> 00:01:06,307 Speaker 3: the competition is definitely on for most of the team, 20 00:01:06,427 --> 00:01:10,227 Speaker 3: more for many and this is what they've been training 21 00:01:10,227 --> 00:01:13,907 Speaker 3: and preparing for physically and mentally for such a long time. 22 00:01:13,987 --> 00:01:16,587 Speaker 3: So you know, it's a very very exciting time for everybody. 23 00:01:16,827 --> 00:01:19,867 Speaker 2: You're shift a mission at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 24 00:01:19,987 --> 00:01:23,747 Speaker 2: two years ago. Can you compare and contrast for us 25 00:01:23,747 --> 00:01:28,347 Speaker 2: how much bigger is an Olympic Games? Yeah? 26 00:01:28,387 --> 00:01:30,707 Speaker 3: I think you know, physically, obviously the size is the 27 00:01:30,747 --> 00:01:35,547 Speaker 3: scale as massive, you know, the village, although geographically it's 28 00:01:35,587 --> 00:01:37,627 Speaker 3: quite compact. You know, it goes up quite a lot 29 00:01:37,667 --> 00:01:43,187 Speaker 3: as well, so it's quite dense. And it's the population obviously, 30 00:01:43,307 --> 00:01:46,747 Speaker 3: many more nations, there's there's more at stake, so it's 31 00:01:46,787 --> 00:01:49,907 Speaker 3: just it's bigger. But I suppose functionally, you know, we 32 00:01:49,987 --> 00:01:51,907 Speaker 3: just need to do the same things as we did 33 00:01:51,947 --> 00:01:54,907 Speaker 3: for Birmingham. Get those rights, you know, get the ethics 34 00:01:55,147 --> 00:01:57,547 Speaker 3: to the start line at the right time, the right place, 35 00:01:57,987 --> 00:02:00,987 Speaker 3: in the right frame of mind and everything, and let 36 00:02:01,027 --> 00:02:01,907 Speaker 3: them perform. 37 00:02:02,067 --> 00:02:05,307 Speaker 2: As the Games get underway and get going. What will 38 00:02:05,347 --> 00:02:06,707 Speaker 2: take up most of your time. 39 00:02:09,627 --> 00:02:11,827 Speaker 3: Yes, at the moment, we kind of we're still welcoming 40 00:02:11,827 --> 00:02:14,227 Speaker 3: teams and so that's a really important part of our 41 00:02:15,067 --> 00:02:17,707 Speaker 3: our team cultures, making sure we get that right. It's 42 00:02:17,747 --> 00:02:20,787 Speaker 3: been really amazing with the team so far, so we're 43 00:02:20,787 --> 00:02:24,227 Speaker 3: going to continue doing that. Obviously, then supporting athletes and 44 00:02:24,267 --> 00:02:27,907 Speaker 3: teams as they start progressing through into the competitions and 45 00:02:27,947 --> 00:02:31,067 Speaker 3: then you know, really sadly we're we're fear welling teams 46 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:34,827 Speaker 3: as they have finished and they carry on with either 47 00:02:34,827 --> 00:02:38,547 Speaker 3: back to New Zealand or into their their competition season 48 00:02:38,587 --> 00:02:42,547 Speaker 3: throughout throughout the world. So it's you know, we're only 49 00:02:42,587 --> 00:02:45,707 Speaker 3: just started and some some some teams that they're getting 50 00:02:45,707 --> 00:02:46,147 Speaker 3: ready to go on. 51 00:02:46,267 --> 00:02:49,587 Speaker 2: Soon indeed, and I guess also this is the pinnacle 52 00:02:49,627 --> 00:02:52,467 Speaker 2: for the athletes and they are putting the very final 53 00:02:52,547 --> 00:02:55,267 Speaker 2: finishing touches on their preparation. Are you just aware that, 54 00:02:55,307 --> 00:02:57,027 Speaker 2: you know, to not get in their way even though 55 00:02:57,027 --> 00:02:59,027 Speaker 2: you want to make a connection with them and make 56 00:02:59,067 --> 00:03:00,787 Speaker 2: sure that they've got everything they need. 57 00:03:01,747 --> 00:03:04,427 Speaker 3: One hundred percent, So on the gym at the moment 58 00:03:04,467 --> 00:03:06,747 Speaker 3: with the S and C guy, because it's only time 59 00:03:06,747 --> 00:03:08,947 Speaker 3: we can get in here and without the team's being present. 60 00:03:09,027 --> 00:03:14,707 Speaker 3: So if I love it, so yeah, so you know, 61 00:03:15,387 --> 00:03:17,667 Speaker 3: we're definitely staying in our own lane, and you know 62 00:03:17,707 --> 00:03:19,827 Speaker 3: we're there if they need them. You know, the view 63 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:21,907 Speaker 3: here is it's an opt in situation, you know, so 64 00:03:21,947 --> 00:03:24,147 Speaker 3: we will help them as much as they as they 65 00:03:24,187 --> 00:03:27,507 Speaker 3: want or need, and we work closely with team management 66 00:03:27,547 --> 00:03:29,147 Speaker 3: to make sure you know, that's the case, you know, 67 00:03:29,467 --> 00:03:31,547 Speaker 3: and it is delicate, you know, because you know there's 68 00:03:31,587 --> 00:03:33,627 Speaker 3: a fear amount of anxiety and nerves going on, and 69 00:03:33,627 --> 00:03:35,947 Speaker 3: we just have to be careful that we're not trying 70 00:03:35,987 --> 00:03:38,467 Speaker 3: to be you know, wind people up overly too much 71 00:03:38,787 --> 00:03:40,827 Speaker 3: or not engage either. So it's it's a real balance 72 00:03:40,867 --> 00:03:43,427 Speaker 3: and something we've reminded mindful of to make sure we 73 00:03:43,507 --> 00:03:44,067 Speaker 3: get right. 74 00:03:44,467 --> 00:03:47,027 Speaker 2: From your experience, Nigel, how much of what happens in 75 00:03:47,067 --> 00:03:51,427 Speaker 2: the next three weeks will be stuff that you hadn't expected. 76 00:03:53,867 --> 00:03:55,867 Speaker 3: I don't know. You have to ask me, ask me 77 00:03:55,867 --> 00:03:58,267 Speaker 3: about about three weeks. 78 00:03:58,427 --> 00:04:02,267 Speaker 2: Well, but are you are you ready for example, are 79 00:04:02,267 --> 00:04:05,427 Speaker 2: you ready to fight fires or just to just are 80 00:04:05,467 --> 00:04:07,547 Speaker 2: you expecting the only speak to just in case. 81 00:04:09,427 --> 00:04:12,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, so we we sort of have some scenario type planning, 82 00:04:12,827 --> 00:04:14,747 Speaker 3: you know, what if planning and just to say, well, look, 83 00:04:14,747 --> 00:04:17,187 Speaker 3: you know, what would our prices look like if something happened, 84 00:04:17,747 --> 00:04:20,947 Speaker 3: and so you know wherever that happening might be. If 85 00:04:21,067 --> 00:04:23,467 Speaker 3: that should happen, then at least we've got to here's 86 00:04:23,467 --> 00:04:25,627 Speaker 3: a frame of reference we can look to to help 87 00:04:25,707 --> 00:04:28,747 Speaker 3: manage that. And yeah, I guess you've just got to 88 00:04:28,747 --> 00:04:33,027 Speaker 3: expect the unexpected and plan for what we can control. 89 00:04:33,587 --> 00:04:35,507 Speaker 3: And because that's what we ask the athletes to do, 90 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,147 Speaker 3: you know, work on what they can control themselves and 91 00:04:39,107 --> 00:04:40,627 Speaker 3: the rest just has to happen around them. 92 00:04:41,027 --> 00:04:44,667 Speaker 2: Apart from metals, what other metrics do you use to 93 00:04:44,787 --> 00:04:49,547 Speaker 2: judge the success of the games from a New Zealand perspective. 94 00:04:50,667 --> 00:04:52,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, so we we survey at the end of the 95 00:04:52,947 --> 00:04:55,547 Speaker 3: games and you know, one of the questions is, you know, 96 00:04:56,107 --> 00:04:59,347 Speaker 3: you know, what did the environment have to your to 97 00:04:59,347 --> 00:05:02,587 Speaker 3: your important to your performance? Did a dad or not? 98 00:05:03,147 --> 00:05:05,427 Speaker 3: You know, we're we're happy with the management and things 99 00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:08,307 Speaker 3: like that, so you know, we hopefully will score highly 100 00:05:08,347 --> 00:05:10,827 Speaker 3: on that. That's what we try to do because what 101 00:05:10,867 --> 00:05:12,587 Speaker 3: we can't do is run on the field of play 102 00:05:12,587 --> 00:05:15,347 Speaker 3: and help the athletes out in the pool on the 103 00:05:15,387 --> 00:05:17,227 Speaker 3: tracker in the field. That's up to the end. But 104 00:05:17,267 --> 00:05:19,187 Speaker 3: what we can do is try and provide an environment 105 00:05:19,667 --> 00:05:23,427 Speaker 3: where they feel happy, safe, secure, welcomed, a real try 106 00:05:23,467 --> 00:05:29,147 Speaker 3: sense of belonging and that just aids obvious the icing 107 00:05:29,267 --> 00:05:31,067 Speaker 3: on the cake, as it were, from their performance. 108 00:05:31,707 --> 00:05:33,707 Speaker 2: How important do you perceive it to be that you 109 00:05:34,267 --> 00:05:37,467 Speaker 2: were a former Olympian or an Olympian, yourself a former 110 00:05:37,707 --> 00:05:41,227 Speaker 2: elite athlete, as was your predecessor Robodell. How important do 111 00:05:41,267 --> 00:05:44,547 Speaker 2: you perceive that to be in the role of shift mission. 112 00:05:46,107 --> 00:05:49,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, I guess it's important because you have an understanding 113 00:05:49,187 --> 00:05:51,267 Speaker 3: of what the athletes are going through, so you can 114 00:05:51,307 --> 00:05:55,827 Speaker 3: really emphasize with how they're going and you know what 115 00:05:55,827 --> 00:06:00,027 Speaker 3: they might be feeling or thinking. But ultimately, we've got 116 00:06:00,067 --> 00:06:02,747 Speaker 3: an amazing team here, some of which I have been 117 00:06:02,747 --> 00:06:06,587 Speaker 3: Olympians also, but others who haven't, but they're contributing as 118 00:06:06,667 --> 00:06:09,147 Speaker 3: much and and it's it really is a team effort 119 00:06:09,347 --> 00:06:12,387 Speaker 3: of the team behind the team. And I guess the 120 00:06:12,627 --> 00:06:15,667 Speaker 3: amazing thing is as the athletes start arriving, as they 121 00:06:15,707 --> 00:06:18,667 Speaker 3: have in the last week or so, particularly, you know, 122 00:06:18,787 --> 00:06:21,627 Speaker 3: the Olympians who have been there before, are kind of 123 00:06:21,627 --> 00:06:24,387 Speaker 3: meeting and greeting that team behind the team. Hey has 124 00:06:24,387 --> 00:06:26,267 Speaker 3: a gun, you know, so they walk into a familiar 125 00:06:26,347 --> 00:06:29,347 Speaker 3: environment and there's such an amazing thing. You know. They 126 00:06:29,467 --> 00:06:32,227 Speaker 3: just love being part of a wider New Zealand team, 127 00:06:32,267 --> 00:06:34,187 Speaker 3: not just the you know, the rowing team or the 128 00:06:34,227 --> 00:06:38,507 Speaker 3: cycling team for example. There there there with others and 129 00:06:39,027 --> 00:06:40,587 Speaker 3: it's it's an amazing environment to. 130 00:06:40,547 --> 00:06:42,267 Speaker 2: Be part of do you still get a buzz as 131 00:06:42,307 --> 00:06:45,627 Speaker 2: well from seeing seeing the wide eyes of a first 132 00:06:45,667 --> 00:06:46,387 Speaker 2: time Olympian? 133 00:06:48,307 --> 00:06:51,547 Speaker 3: You do, because you know, we've all been there and 134 00:06:52,107 --> 00:06:54,307 Speaker 3: and so you know exactly what they're going through, and 135 00:06:54,387 --> 00:06:57,067 Speaker 3: so you know, for me that's actually, you know, I've 136 00:06:57,187 --> 00:07:00,667 Speaker 3: been a bit more time with them and sending a 137 00:07:00,667 --> 00:07:02,827 Speaker 3: few chats and whatnot, because you know they are a 138 00:07:02,867 --> 00:07:05,587 Speaker 3: bit wide eyed. But we've also got an amazing group 139 00:07:05,627 --> 00:07:09,267 Speaker 3: of athletes support who have I think they have all 140 00:07:09,307 --> 00:07:13,667 Speaker 3: been Olympians, four of them, and we've got a wellness 141 00:07:13,707 --> 00:07:15,907 Speaker 3: team and whatnot, and so we are really cognizant that 142 00:07:15,947 --> 00:07:18,787 Speaker 3: we want to make sure that they're not being overwhelmed 143 00:07:18,787 --> 00:07:21,867 Speaker 3: by the occasion because it can be quite overwhelming, and 144 00:07:23,347 --> 00:07:26,387 Speaker 3: obviously reminding them and they're here to compete, but just 145 00:07:26,507 --> 00:07:30,347 Speaker 3: also reminding them that, you know, it's they're good at 146 00:07:30,387 --> 00:07:33,587 Speaker 3: what they do and they've obviously been been very successful 147 00:07:33,627 --> 00:07:35,307 Speaker 3: to get to where they've got to, which is here, 148 00:07:35,667 --> 00:07:37,387 Speaker 3: and they need to try and replicate that in the 149 00:07:37,427 --> 00:07:39,787 Speaker 3: field to play here and and go for it as 150 00:07:39,787 --> 00:07:40,347 Speaker 3: best they can. 151 00:07:40,867 --> 00:07:43,067 Speaker 2: We've had the opening ceremony, of course, how nice a 152 00:07:43,147 --> 00:07:45,987 Speaker 2: job is it telling the flag bearers that they're going 153 00:07:46,027 --> 00:07:46,867 Speaker 2: to be flag bears. 154 00:07:48,307 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, it's the privilege being in my role 155 00:07:51,147 --> 00:07:55,587 Speaker 3: full stop. But to ask those questions of our team 156 00:07:55,827 --> 00:07:58,987 Speaker 3: and those two people, it's an amazing privilege and huge 157 00:07:59,027 --> 00:08:01,667 Speaker 3: honour to be able to do that and very very special. 158 00:08:01,907 --> 00:08:05,867 Speaker 3: So both of them are amazing people, very humble. Then 159 00:08:05,947 --> 00:08:09,787 Speaker 3: we're both kind of blown away by receiving the call 160 00:08:09,827 --> 00:08:12,107 Speaker 3: on mamoshe ordering way why they want. I wanted to 161 00:08:12,107 --> 00:08:15,107 Speaker 3: speak with them because you know, it's not the sort 162 00:08:15,107 --> 00:08:16,547 Speaker 3: of thing that you put on your to do list 163 00:08:17,147 --> 00:08:18,827 Speaker 3: and say I want to be a flavorer. It's just 164 00:08:18,827 --> 00:08:21,387 Speaker 3: something that it kind of happens. And they were they 165 00:08:21,387 --> 00:08:26,867 Speaker 3: were quite overwhelmed and obviously very appreciative of honor to 166 00:08:26,867 --> 00:08:27,307 Speaker 3: be asked. 167 00:08:27,427 --> 00:08:29,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think those emotions prove that you pick the 168 00:08:29,747 --> 00:08:32,747 Speaker 2: right people for the job. I have to ask you 169 00:08:32,827 --> 00:08:36,787 Speaker 2: quickly about about drone Gate and what played out there 170 00:08:36,787 --> 00:08:38,627 Speaker 2: the fall out continued. How do you reflect on what 171 00:08:38,747 --> 00:08:41,467 Speaker 2: on what played out with the Canadian football team and 172 00:08:41,507 --> 00:08:42,267 Speaker 2: our football fields. 173 00:08:43,707 --> 00:08:46,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, I was obviously very shocking to have received that news, 174 00:08:47,067 --> 00:08:50,427 Speaker 3: extremely disappointed and and I guess for the team is 175 00:08:50,467 --> 00:08:52,987 Speaker 3: you know, quite unsettling. But I think they responded as 176 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:54,787 Speaker 3: well as they could, because you know, once it's in 177 00:08:54,787 --> 00:08:57,587 Speaker 3: the hands of the authorities, there's not much more house 178 00:08:57,587 --> 00:09:00,267 Speaker 3: they can do. There's no there's no point dropping the 179 00:09:00,267 --> 00:09:02,627 Speaker 3: bottom lip. They just have to get on with the game. 180 00:09:02,747 --> 00:09:06,227 Speaker 3: I spoke with Elie Riley. Obviously she had immensely disappointing 181 00:09:07,067 --> 00:09:09,627 Speaker 3: for her for her injury, and that was also unsettling 182 00:09:09,707 --> 00:09:13,227 Speaker 3: for the team, but she was, you know, confident, the 183 00:09:13,227 --> 00:09:16,507 Speaker 3: team will just have to you have to regroup and 184 00:09:17,187 --> 00:09:19,987 Speaker 3: carry on. And although we didn't see the game because 185 00:09:20,027 --> 00:09:23,427 Speaker 3: we were in the middle of our flagbor announcement ceremony, 186 00:09:23,867 --> 00:09:26,027 Speaker 3: you know they gave it a great shot, you know, 187 00:09:26,467 --> 00:09:28,867 Speaker 3: you know one all into the break was It's a 188 00:09:28,907 --> 00:09:32,627 Speaker 3: great effort. It just didn't quite get away with it. 189 00:09:32,627 --> 00:09:34,107 Speaker 3: So now we just have to wait for the process 190 00:09:34,107 --> 00:09:37,907 Speaker 3: of the IOC Integrity Unit and FIFA's investigation and see 191 00:09:37,907 --> 00:09:38,907 Speaker 3: where that lands. 192 00:09:39,307 --> 00:09:42,547 Speaker 2: And just to finish, you're one of our greatest weightlifters. 193 00:09:42,787 --> 00:09:45,067 Speaker 2: Will you get the chance to take in that sport 194 00:09:45,307 --> 00:09:47,027 Speaker 2: at these games? Have you made a point of making 195 00:09:47,067 --> 00:09:49,187 Speaker 2: sure that you get along. When David Lichti is involved 196 00:09:49,187 --> 00:09:50,907 Speaker 2: in weightlifting. 197 00:09:52,067 --> 00:09:55,627 Speaker 3: I would love to see him compete, of course, but 198 00:09:55,987 --> 00:09:58,507 Speaker 3: it depends on what else is happening, what's going around, 199 00:09:58,587 --> 00:10:01,187 Speaker 3: and to be fair, I haven't really looked at the schedule, 200 00:10:01,227 --> 00:10:03,267 Speaker 3: but I want to support as many of the ethics 201 00:10:03,307 --> 00:10:05,587 Speaker 3: as we can. But as I mentioned earlier, you know, 202 00:10:05,867 --> 00:10:09,227 Speaker 3: I need to part of the team welcomes going on 203 00:10:09,267 --> 00:10:11,027 Speaker 3: as well, so it's a bit of a balance. But 204 00:10:11,147 --> 00:10:13,147 Speaker 3: I'm also I want to get down to see sailing, 205 00:10:13,187 --> 00:10:17,467 Speaker 3: to watch Joe, I definitely watch Aaron compete. So there's 206 00:10:17,467 --> 00:10:19,227 Speaker 3: a lot to do, a lot to see, and as 207 00:10:19,267 --> 00:10:21,867 Speaker 3: I said before, I'm extremely privileged to be able to 208 00:10:22,627 --> 00:10:25,307 Speaker 3: be able to do that. So it's really really looking 209 00:10:25,347 --> 00:10:26,627 Speaker 3: forward to the next sixteen days. 210 00:10:26,787 --> 00:10:28,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, we all are back here as well, Nigel, as 211 00:10:28,707 --> 00:10:30,547 Speaker 2: you can probably tell, I'm sure you're getting messages of 212 00:10:30,587 --> 00:10:32,667 Speaker 2: all sorts and I'll continue to come and we just 213 00:10:32,667 --> 00:10:35,307 Speaker 2: can't wait to watch it all happen overnight our time, 214 00:10:35,347 --> 00:10:37,267 Speaker 2: of course, And I do look forward to chatting to 215 00:10:37,307 --> 00:10:39,107 Speaker 2: you after the games to see if there was anything 216 00:10:39,187 --> 00:10:42,387 Speaker 2: unexpected and whether you whether you hit your metrics, and 217 00:10:42,987 --> 00:10:46,107 Speaker 2: I know the team around you and yourself, I'm going 218 00:10:46,147 --> 00:10:47,867 Speaker 2: to make sure these athletes are in very good hands. 219 00:10:47,907 --> 00:10:49,787 Speaker 2: Really appreciate you taking the time for a chat and 220 00:10:49,867 --> 00:10:51,187 Speaker 2: enjoy the next couple of weeks. 221 00:10:52,147 --> 00:10:54,187 Speaker 3: Thanks for Jason, appreciate it. Thanks for hearing me on 222 00:10:54,227 --> 00:10:54,507 Speaker 3: your show. 223 00:10:54,547 --> 00:10:55,947 Speaker 2: No, it's good to have you on the show, Nigel. 224 00:10:55,947 --> 00:10:58,387 Speaker 2: Thanks indeed, Nigel Avery. There shift a mission of the 225 00:10:58,427 --> 00:11:00,947 Speaker 2: New Zealand team at the start of the games of 226 00:11:00,987 --> 00:11:02,867 Speaker 2: the thirty third Olympiad. 227 00:11:03,707 --> 00:11:06,627 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason fain us in 228 00:11:06,707 --> 00:11:09,947 Speaker 1: Life to News Talks it B weekends from midday, or 229 00:11:09,987 --> 00:11:11,947 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.