Paris2024: Jo Aleh named as a flag bearer for NZ team for Opening Ceremony
by NZ Olympic Committee (Edited) 26 Jul 2024 06:47 HKT
26 July 2024
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) on their way to winning the Womens 470 Gold Medal - Day 6 - Weymouth 2012 © Richard Gladwell
Track cyclist Aaron Gate and sailing athlete Jo Aleh have been named flag bearers for the New Zealand Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The pair were formally announced in the presence of Her Excellency Dame Cindy Kiro and Chef de Mission Nigel Avery at a team function attended by athletes, team support, partners and dignitaries in Paris on Thursday evening.
Gate, Olympian #1146, won bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He will become a four-time Olympian in Paris and is one of our most decorated ever Commonwealth Games athletes, with six medals, including the four gold he won at Birmingham 2022.
Aleh, Olympian #992, is a two-time Olympic medallist having won gold at London 2012 and silver at Rio 2016 alongside crew mate Polly Powrie. Aleh has since teamed up with Rio silver medallist Molly Meech, with the pair set to compete in the 49er FX at the Paris Games. She first competed in the 2008 Olympics in the then Laser Radial class which was the Womens One Person Dinghy.
“I remember, as a 10-year-old, watching Barbara Kendall lead the New Zealand Team at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Games. To be given the opportunity to be a flagbearer myself is something I never thought possible,” said Aleh.
“Since that day, I have witnessed many of our greatest Olympians wave the New Zealand flag at the Olympics, and I am extremely honoured to have the chance to lead the team, alongside Aaron, at Paris 2024.
“Hopefully, I can help inspire the next generation of Kiwi athletes and show that anything is possible if you are brave enough to chase your dreams, back yourself through the ups and downs, and, most importantly, always keep smiling."
Aleh was presented with Te Mahutonga, the first of the New Zealand team’s kakahu (cloak), by Chef de Mission Nigel Avery and Dame Cindy in front of Olympic teammates, friends and whanau.
The flagbearers are chosen by the New Zealand Olympic Team Chef de Mission taking into account a wide range of factors including past performances, ability to lead and inspire New Zealand athletes, competition preparation and performance standards.
New Zealand is set to be represented by 195 athletes, competing across 23 sports at Paris 2024.
The Opening Ceremony begins at 1730hrs - 2115hrs UTC on July 26. Jo Aleh will sail in the first race of the 49erFX on July 28, and has four races scheduled.