Speed climbers Julian David and Sarah Tetzlaff have been confirmed as the first athletes selected for the NZ team to the Paris Olympics.
The pair won their respective Olympic qualifying events at Melbourne last Melbourne, after David had also captured a world junior title. This month, he won Emerging Talent honours at the Halberg Awards.
Speed climbing will make its Olympic debut at Paris.
"This means a huge amount to me," said David, 19. "I couldn't be more excited and can't wait for this great opportunity I've been selected for.
"I've dedicated my life to being the best athlete and speed climber I can be, because going to the Olympics is something I’ve dreamed of since I was seven.
"Back when I was watching the 2012 London Olympic Games, I knew then that I really wanted to be an Olympian. I didn't have any idea which sport, I just knew I wanted to be at the Olympics one day."
