By RNZ
A four-strong New Zealand triathlon team has been named for next month's Tokyo Olympics.
Nicole van der Kaay, Ainsley Thorpe, Tayler Reid and Hayden Wilde will all compete in their respective individual events and the mixed team relay.
For the first time at an Olympic Games, the athletes will compete as a team at the Mixed Team Relay, which is a four-person female and male relay race over a super sprint distance of 300m swim, 8km bike and a 2km run.
Ranked 12th in the world, Hayden Wilde from Whakatane, claimed a bronze medal at the 2019 Tokyo ITU World Triathlon Olympic Qualification event and is currently in Europe competing on the World Triathlon Championship series.
He posted a 5th on the World Cup circuit in Leeds this month and third over the line in the Elite men at the European Championships in Austria.
"It is an absolute honour and privilege to be selected for the New Zealand Olympic team. It has been a dream for many, many years and it is now becoming a reality. It's a satisfying feeling!" commented Wilde.
Wilde and his teammates, Tayler Reid and Ainsley Thorpe, were all part of the gold-winning Under-23 mixed team relay world champion squad in 2019 and will want to repeat that success in Tokyo.
Tayler Reid from Gisborne and Nicole van der Kaay from Taupo, already have a Commonwealth Games bronze medal from their previous performance in the MTR event in 2018 on the Gold Coast.
Reid also won gold in the Under-23 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in 2018. The "Gizzy lad" is thrilled to be named on the team.
"I've dreamed of going to the Olympics my entire life, and I'm super excited that it is now actually happening. Every day it's at the front of my mind, working to improve so I can deliver a performance to make my family, Gizzy and New Zealand proud!"
Ainsley Thorpe from Cambridge, is coming into the Games on top form, with a recent second place in Under-23 category at the World Triathlon Oceania's in Port Douglas this June and fourth overall.
The Oceania 2020 Sprint Champion and World Cup circuit podium winner has her eyes set on Tokyo.
"I'm looking forward to what is going to be a very unique experience and can't wait to put on the New Zealand uniform!"
Nicole van der Kaay from Taupo, who placed seventh in the individual race at the Commonwealth Games is amped to be back on the international racing circuit.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of the New Zealand squad wearing the silver fern on the Olympic stage!" says van der Kaay.
"It's been a childhood dream of mine and it's soon to come true. Let's see what us kiwis can do!"
Thorpe, van der Kaay and Reid have been training at a Tri NZ High Performance camp on the Gold Coast, while Hayden Wilde is training in Europe. The reserve athletes are Rebecca Spence and Trent Thorpe.
Hamish Carter won gold and Bevan Docherty silver at the Athens 2004 Olympics, while Docherty won bronze in Beijing four years later.
RNZ
