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University Sport New Zealand (USNZ) announced that swimmer Moss Burmester will captain the New Zealand team competing in the 2007 World University Games this August in Bangkok.

The Commonwealth Games gold medalist, who will carry the flag at the opening ceremony, was chosen because of the respect that he holds amongst the team and the motivation he has to lead.

“We are thrilled to have Moss as our team captain. Having been to the last World University Games he’s aware of what the event is all about and will support the athletes and be an inspiration to the team”, said Chef de Mission Martin MacDonald.

With over 9,500 competitors and officials from 170 nations competing in 17 sports, the World University Games are the second largest global multi-sports event after the Summer Olympics.

Competing in the 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly and possibly the 400m Freestyle and 4×200m Freestyle Relay, Burmester will captain approximately 120 competitors and officials from the nine different sports in which the New Zealand team will compete.

“It’s a big honour. I’ve wanted to carry the flag into an opening ceremony for a long time now and I’m really looking forward to it. Most of all, I’m looking forward to helping the other athletes out and creating a good team atmosphere”, said Burmester.

The New Zealand team that competed at the 2005 World University Games in Turkey was the most successful in the 46 year history of the event, returning with five medals.

The 2005 team was captained by former swimmer Alison Fitch who has been selected as one of the support team members for Bangkok.

 

For more information visit the University Sport New Zealand website http://www.universitysport.org.nz/