Bay of Plenty residents will have bleary eyes this weekend as they watch local athletes compete in 2024′s Paris Olympic Games.

New Zealand has, at time of publication, won one gold and one silver. New Zealand women’s rugby sevens team won their final against Canada 19-12 on Wednesday.

That evening Whakatane’s Hayden Wilde won silver in the men’s triathlon.

Some BOP athletes have already competed – but there’s more local action to watch. Tauranga’s Sam Tanner, aged 23, will compete in the Men’s 1500m round 1 race on August 2 at 9pm NZ time (NZT).

Athletics Tauranga president Malcolm Smith says Sam’s been a member of Tauranga Athletics since age 12 and club members can’t wait to see him wearing the Silver Fern with pride.

“Lots of groups are getting together to watch his heat at 9.05pm this Friday.

“Thirty of his Athletics Tauranga club mates will be in Napier for the NZ Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning, so his race will be highly motivating for all those competing,” says Malcom, who reckons many others will watch Sam from their homes.

Malcolm says Sam is New Zealand’s second fastest ever 1500m runner behind Nick Willis.

“He won Aims Games’ Cross Country in 2012 and 2013, and the NZ secondary Schools’ Cross country in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Sam is coached by Tauranga coach Craig Kirkwood who coaches Hayden Wilde.”

Depending on his first race Sam could progress to the men’s 1500m repechage at 5.15am NZT on August 4, and the men’s Final 1500m on August 7 at 6.50am NZT.

Speed climber Sarah Tetzlaff, who is from Hamilton but trains in Tauranga with local Julian David, will compete in Paris soon. Sarah competes August 5 at 11pm NZT in the women’s speed seeding, and may progress to the quarterfinals August 5 at 10.28pm NZT; and the semi-final and finals later that night.

David competes August 6 at 11pm NZT in the men’s speed seeding, followed by the men’s speed elimination. He may race August 8 at 10.28 NZT in the quarterfinals, then semifinals and final.

Speed climbers Sarah Tetzlaff who is from Hamilton but trains in Tauranga with local Julian David will compete in Paris soon.

A BOP Sport Climbing Association president Nada Piatek says Sarah and Julian have been members since 2018 and predominantly train in Tauranga “with a 50/50 split between the BOPSCA Speed wall at Blake Park – the only official speed climbing wall in NZ – and the Athlete Factory in Aerodrome Rd”.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have them competing in the Paris Olympics. [They’re] Such an inspiration to all our athletes.”

BOPSCA members will be at local indoor climbing gym Rocktopia watching the pair compete, thanks to the generosity of owner Adam Dyck.

“We’ll be up late with sleeping bags and hot chocolates!” Find out more at: bopsca.org

Meanwhile, Matahui School students will keep a close eye on ex-student Dylan Schmidt as he tries to better his Tokyo’s Olympic Games men’s trampoline bronze medal.

Dylan competes in the trampoline gymnastics men’s qualification at 4am on Saturday, August 3, NZT – and could progress to the final at 5.50am.

Matahui School has a large sign up on State Highway 2 honouring Dylan, who attended the school for a few years to 2008.

“We have photos of Dylan practising on his trampoline here at Matahui School as a young child,” says principal Mary Woods.

“His parents brought in his trampoline to show all the students his amazing abilities and skills even as a young child.”

Mary, who says Matahui students are learning all about the Olympics “are fully aware who Dylan is”.

“I’ve personally emailed Dylan wishing him all the best from the staff and students. And students will be writing to Dylan him with wishing him all the best wishes this week.

“To compete in his third Olympics is an incredible feat!”

Teacher Colleen Brink says students are keeping up-to-date with Olympics news by watching Kiwi Kids’ news daily.

“Some are doing a mini project for their oral language next week on their favourite Olympian which many have chosen Dylan. Our students look up to Dylan and are really excited for him.”

Other BOP athletes watch in Paris are Luuka Jones competing in the Canoe Slalom Kayak Cross women’s time trial at 2.40am on August 3 NZT. She may race in kayak cross women’s round one at 1.30am on August 4 NZT.

On August 5 at 12am Tauranga’s Kim Cadzow competes in the women’s cycling road race with team mate Niahm Fisher-Black. Kim, aged 22, has three wins in her short career.

And NZ’s most successful Olympian, BOP athlete Olympic medallist Lisa Carrington will compete in multiple events, starting with the canoe sprint women’s K2 500m heats on August 6 at 10.10pm NZT with team-mates Alicia Hoskin, Aimee Fisher and Lucy Matehaere.

Tauranga’s Eva Morris competes in artistic swimming’s duet free routine at 5.30am NZT on August 11.

For a full schedule of Kiwis competing in Paris, see: www.rnz.co.nz/news/olympics-2024

- SunLive