The Best Kiwi Olympians

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Wednesday, August 01, 2012 1:40 PM

Over the years New Zealand's Olympians – over 1000 of them in total – have produced plenty of memorable moments; the triumphs and golden achievements of our athletes, rowers, canoeists, equestrians and yachties.

Our Olympic medallists have achieved considerable sporting success for New Zealand. Since 1920 New Zealand has failed to win a medal at the Summer Olympics on only 2 occasions (London in 1948 and Moscow in 1980, when only 4 competitors were sent as a result of the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott).

Leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, New Zealand has won a total of 90 medals (37 Gold, 17 Silver, and 36 Bronze).

We have compiled a list of New Zealand's 15 best Olympians. Do you agree with our choices?

Name	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Ian Ferguson (Canoeing)	4	1	-	5
Paul MacDonald (Canoeing)	3	1	1	5
Peter Snell (Athletics)	3	-	-	3
Danyon Loader (Swimming)	2	1	-	3
Mark Todd (Equestrian)	2	-	2	4
Simon Dickie (Rowing)	2	-	1	3
Dick Joyce (Rowing)	2	-	-	2
Alan Thompson (Canoeing)	2	-	-	2
Caroline Evers-Swindell (Rowing)	2	-	-	2
Georgina Evers-Swindell (Rowing)	2	-	-	2
Blyth Tait (Equestrian)	1	1	2	4
Barbara Kendall (Yachting)	1	1	1	3
John Walker (Athletics)	1	-	-	1
Sarah Ulmer (Cycling)	1	-	-	1
Valerie Adams (Athletics)	1	-	-	1

New Zealand Medal Milestones:

First medal by a New Zealander: Harry Kerr (1908, for Australasia)
First Gold medal by a New Zealander: Malcolm Champion (1912, for Australasia)
First medal for New Zealand: Clarence Hadfield D'Arcy (1920)
First Gold medal for New Zealand: Ted Morgan (1928)
First female medal: Yvette Williams (1952)
First female Gold medal: Yvette Williams (1952)
First double medalist: Peter Snell (1960, 1964)
First double Gold medalist: Peter Snell (1960, 1964)
First double Gold medalist at a single Games: Peter Snell (1964)
First triple medalist: Peter Snell (1960, 1964)
First triple Gold medalist: Peter Snell (1960, 1964)
First triple medalist at a single Games: Ian Ferguson (1984)
First triple Gold medalist at a single Games: Ian Ferguson (1984)
First quadruple medalists: Ian Ferguson & Paul McDonald (1984, 1988)
First quadruple Gold medalist: Ian Ferguson (1984, 1988)
First quintuple medalist: Ian Ferguson & Paul McDonald (1984, 1988)
First female double medalist: Vicky Latta (1992, 1996)
First female triple medalist: Barbara Kendall (1992, 1996, 2000)
First female double Gold medalists: Caroline & Georgina Evers-Swindell (2004, 2008)