While the New Zealand Olympic Team prepared to take part in the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Olympic Winter Games, a cloudy Vancouver day brought a new IOC member for New Zealand and saw triple gold medallist Barbara Kendall honoured with a coveted spot in the Olympic Torch Relay. A tragic turn saw the loss of a Georgian luge athlete in a training incident at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Condolences for the Georgian Olympic Team.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has expressed its condolences to the Georgian Olympic Team after 21 year old athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili was tragically killed in a luge accident this morning at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Chef de Mission has sent a personal note to the team that is based close to the New Zealand team headquarters in Vancouver.

Secretary Barry Maister said he was shocked by the news today. "My thoughts are with those affected by this tragic accident and I know the entire Olympic Family are affected by the loss of a young athlete on the eve of the Olympic Winter Games."

New IOC Member

New Zealand has its eleventh IOC member and after a break of less than two years is back as a decision maker at the world's most powerful sporting movement.

Olympic gold medalist (eds. Montreal 1976, Hockey) and NZOC Secretary General, Barry Maister, was formally ratified as an IOC member at a ceremony today in Vancouver. "This is significant for New Zealand, said Maister. "I am honoured to be a member of the IOC but I am especially proud to be in a position to provide perspective and influence on matters affecting New Zealand sport. "

As one of 115 IOC members, Maister will have a vote on matters affecting international sport, including the selection of Olympic host cities. Maister will also develop stronger relationships with key figures within international sport including the heads of both the International Triathlon and Cycling Federations.

Maister's nomination to the IOC was ratified along with five new members from diverse nations including Ethiopia, China, Jordan, Spain and Ireland, including three women.

The Olympic Movement promotes sport as a force for good around the world and Mr Maister is proud to represent this Movement in New Zealand.

One More Memento for Barbara

She has a complete gold, silver and bronze collection of medals at the Olympic Games but Barbara Kendall has added another significant memento to her mantelpiece in the form of a Vancouver Olympic torch.

Kendall, resplendent in a shimmering white International Olympic Committee tracksuit with smurf-blue trim has completed a 300-metre jog along East 1st Avenue, a ten-minute drive from the city centre.

The five-time Olympic boardsailor employed a buoyant style, barely breaking a sweat in a white beanie, before lighting the next torch held by local Angela Feng.

The 42-year-old says holding the torch held more meaning than she initially thought.

"You're standing there, all dressed and ready to go and then all of a sudden this flame is coming towards you that's travelled all the way from Greece over 106 days and through the hands of 12,000 people. It was quite moving."

Kendall says it was harder to carry than meets the eye.

"I was surprised by how heavy a three-pound torch can be to hold over your head even when it's just a dash down the road."

One advantage is she gets to keep the torch courtesy of being asked to run on behalf of New Zealand by the IOC.

"I think I might put some flowers in it and use it as a vase when it arrives home," Kendall said.

Security jogged closely around the Kiwi throughout. The roads were crowded with locals lending unconditional support. Hundreds of red and white clad patriots, many dressed in ice hockey gear, were lined up waving maple leaf flags during the final legs.

The downtown area was also clogged with those soaking up the spirited ambience enveloping the city prior to the opening ceremony which begins at 6pm local time.

Olympic Games - Day 1

The 13th of Feb will see three New Zealanders compete. Sarah Murphy in Biathlon, Shane Dobbin in Speed Skating and Blake Skjellerup in Short Track.