Best of the best Kiwi Olympians

Best of the best Kiwi Olympians

At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, New Zealand's rowing eight won gold and the coxless four won silver. Rod Dixon, who claimed bronze in the 1500 m, was the only other New Zealand medal winner at these Games.

The Romanos list

In his book Our Olympic century (2008), the well-known sports writer Joseph Romanos listed New Zealand's best Olympians up to 2004. Do you agree with his choices? Add your comments or alternative picks in the Community Contributions section below.

Men

  1. Peter Snell (athletics, 1960, ’64)
  2. Danyon Loader (swimming, 1992, ’96)
  3. Jack Lovelock  (athletics, 1932, ’36)
  4. Murray Halberg (athletics, 1956, ’60, ’64)
  5. John Walker (athletics, 1976, ’84)
  6. Mark Todd (equestrian, 1984, ’88, ’92, ’96, 2000)
  7. Ian Ferguson (canoeing, 1976, ’80, ’84, ’88, ’92)
  8. Blyth Tait (equestrian, 1992, ’96, 2000, ’04)
  9. Paul MacDonald (canoeing, 1984, ’88, ’92)
  10. Rob Waddell (rowing, 1996, 2000)
  11. Hamish Carter (triathlon, 2000, ’04)
  12. Ted Morgan (boxing, 1928)

Women

  1. Barbara Kendall (yachting, 1992, ’96, 2000, ’04)
  2. Annelise Coberger (skiing, 1992, ’94)
  3. Sarah Ulmer (cycling, 1996, 2000, ’04)
  4. Yvette Williams (athletics, 1952)
  5. Lorraine Moller (athletics, 1984, ’88, ’92, ’96)
  6. Val Young (athletics, 1956, ’60, ’64)
  7. Marise Chamberlain (athletics, 1964)
  8. Rebecca Perrott (swimming, 1976)
  9. Sally Clark (equestrian, 1996)
  10. Jean Stewart (swimming, 1952)

Teams

  1. 1972 rowing eight
  2. 1976 men's hockey
  3. 1968 rowing coxed four
  4. 1984 K4 1000 canoeing
  5. 1984, ’88 and ’92 K2 500 canoeing
  6. 1984 and ’88 Tornado-class yachting
  7. 1956 Sharpie-class yachting
  8. 2004 women's double sculls rowing
  9. 1964 Flying Dutchman-class yachting
  10. 1992 three-day equestrian eventing team

Community contributions

2 comment has been posted about Best of the best Kiwi Olympians

What do you know?

sean burt

Posted: 10 Aug 2008

As part of my schools Maori programme I am truying to find a list of "Maori Olympians" at the 2008 Olympics and any past Maori Olympic medal winners.