Girish Mahajan (Editor)

New Zealand at the 1920 Summer Olympics

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IOC code
  
NZL

Competitors
  
4 in 3 sports

Website
  
www.olympic.org.nz

Flag bearer
  
Harry Wilson (athlete)

New Zealand at the 1920 Summer Olympics

NOC
  
New Zealand Olympic Committee

Medals Ranked 22nd
  
Gold Silver Bronze Total 0 0 1 1

New Zealand competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. It was the first time that the nation had competed independently at the Olympic Games (even though the International Olympic Committee had a New Zealand member – Leonard Cuff – at its establishment). At the 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics, New Zealand had competed with Australia in a combined team called Australasia.

Contents

The New Zealand team consisted of four competitors including the first woman to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games, Violet Walrond who was only aged 15 at the time. The team can be considered one of the most successful ever as all team members finished 5th or better in at least one of their events. The opening flagbearer was hurdler Harry Wilson.

Swimming

A single swimmer represented New Zealand in 1920. It was the nation's debut in the sport as well as its first independent appearance at the Olympics. Walrond was the first woman from New Zealand to compete in the Olympics.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Women

Athletics

Two athletes represented New Zealand in the nation's independent Olympic debut in 1920. The two men advanced to the final in two of their three events, placing fourth and fifth.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Rowing

A single rower represented New Zealand in 1920. It was the nation's debut in the sport. Hadfield was defeated in the semifinals of the single sculls, but took the bronze medal as the fastest losing semifinalist.

References

New Zealand at the 1920 Summer Olympics Wikipedia