Tristan

Official Olympic Hymn for 2012

With pride you go there standing tall To respect both one and all With pride in yourself and that of your nation Go,enjoy,be part of the celebration Respect and honour those who have trained with passion and commitment to be part of the games For all of the nations who choose to compete, be generous and respectful of others wins and defeats The spectators will witness amazing images so clear that they will inspire you and bring even a tear

ABOUT MAHE' DRYSDALE THE NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC ROWER:

Mahe tried most sports at school. He loved sport and loved competing ,but he was never good enough at anything to realise his Olympic dream.

He started rowing for fun at University. He rowed for two year, gave up, and then came back to the sport at the end of 2000.

In 2001 rowing New Zealand selected eight guys on their future potential. Mahe was part of that group.

After the 2004 Olympics Mahe temporarily moved to the UK and started in a single scull. It was tough at first and it took a while for him to get used to the extra oar and being all by himself.

He had a slight setback in April 2005 when a waterskier colliled with him while training. This gave him a back injury and interrupted his training.

He started his single sculling career in 2007 taking him to his world title.

Mahe fought a hard battle on the water to claim a NZ spot in the single scull for the Beijing Olympics. Unfortunately he picked up a stomach virus during the Olympics. Overnight he lost 4kg, knowing there was no excuse and this is the day Mahe had to perform.

Mahe said the "crowds were wonderful certainly put NZ on the map".

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MY PERSONAL INTEREST:

When Mahe' was at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, I was really enjoying following his progress. It was so shocking when he got so sick with a stomach virus. It was amazing to watch his mental strength to carry on. Shame he was sick he would have won the gold medal. My parents drove me to the airport on the morning that the athletes arrived home. I was only eight years old and I waited very patiently to the side and when all the noise settled down from other peopIe asking for his autograph I asked I could please have a photo with him. It was just by chance that the photographer from the New Zealand Herald was there and I got PAPPARAZZIED by him and loads of others, (you can see all the bright lights). This photo was in the Herald.

MY OLYMPIC CREED

Every athlete will compete with pride as they represent their country, they will compete within the rules and respect their fellow competitors. Teamwork and sportsmanship are more important than victory alone, more important than victory is to participate in every event with passion.