Bishop Supports Nzs Bid For 11th Hour Olympics

Minister aims to attract more international athletics events to New Zealand

Bishop supports NZ's bid for 11th-hour Olympics

Minister for Sport wants to see more major events in the country

The Minister for Sport, Chris Bishop, has expressed his desire to bring more international athletics events to New Zealand. This comes after Auckland lost the hosting rights for the World Athletics Championships in 2025 and the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Despite the setback, Bishop remains optimistic about the country's ability to host major sporting events. He said, "New Zealand has a proud history of hosting major sporting events, and we have the infrastructure and the expertise to continue to do so." He added that the country's "natural beauty and welcoming people" make it an attractive destination for athletes and spectators alike.

Bishop also welcomed the news that New Zealand is being considered as a potential 11th-hour host for the 2024 Olympics, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped Russia of the hosting rights. Bishop said, "We would be honored to host the Olympics, and we believe that we have what it takes to put on a successful and memorable event."

Bishop's enthusiasm for attracting major sporting events to New Zealand is shared by many in the sporting community. Athletics New Zealand chief executive Peter Pfitzinger said, "We are very excited about the possibility of hosting more international athletics events in New Zealand. It would be a great opportunity to showcase our country to the world, and to inspire young New Zealanders to take up athletics."

The government's support for hosting major sporting events is part of its wider goal of making New Zealand a more active and healthy nation. Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said, "We believe that sport has the power to change lives, and we want to make it as easy as possible for New Zealanders to participate in sport and recreation." He added that the government is working to "make sport more accessible and affordable, and to provide more opportunities for people to get involved."

The government's goal of making New Zealand a more active and healthy nation is a worthy one. By supporting major sporting events, the government is helping to create a more active and healthy society, which will benefit all New Zealanders.