New Zealand to send 185 athletes to London Olympics

Wellington, July 9 (IANS) The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has finalised a team of 185 athletes to compete at the London Olympics.

The team selection ended as decathlete Brent Newdick, heptathlete Sarah Cowley and track cyclist Rushlee Buchanan were included in the team overnight. The London athlete's contingent equals that of Beijing 2008, confirmed NZOC on its website Monday.

"London will be a significant games for New Zealand," said Kereyn Smith, secretary general of NZOC.

"We anticipate that with 185 athletes we'll be among the top twenty largest teams at the games. We have our 100th Olympic medal in our sights and I'm confident New Zealand's athletes will make Kiwis in both the UK, and back home in New Zealand, proud," she added.

Monday was the final date for New Zealand athletes to qualify for Olympic selection.

New Zealand has won 90 Olympic medals so far, 89 from summer Olympics and one from the winter editions.