New Zealand

OLYMPIC GAMES: NEW ZEALAND

HISTORY

  New Zealand first participated at the Olympic Games in 1908, and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then. For New Zealand's participation in the 1976 Games was controversial, and led to a boycott of the Games by most African countries, who protested against sporting contacts between the All Blacks and apartheid South Africa.

  New Zealand has also participated in most Winter Olympic Games since 1952, missing only the 1956 and 1964 Games.

PARTICIPATION

  New Zealand, as with other Southern Hemisphere countries has had the disadvantage of needing to peak to compete in summer sports which are held during their winter months. Only two Olympics have ever been held in the Southern Hemisphere, in Melbourne and Sydney.

  In 1992, Annelise Coberger of New Zealand became the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to win a medal at the Winter Olympics when she won silver in the slalom at Albertville in France.

CURIOSITIES

The All Blacks:

  They are called All Blacks because their uniform is totally black. The people know them also like “Kiwis” because this is a typical bird from New Zealand.

   The All Blacks perform a Haka before each international match. The Haka is a typical war dance from the mãori people of New Zealand.

At present, it’s the best rugby team in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org