Windsurfer, Hayley THOM, a seventeen year-old from Auckland has been named as one of two selected by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) to attend an International Olympic Youth Camp to be held in Athens in August. 

Hayley, and Badminton player Simon KOO, will form part of the 400 International participants chosen from around the world in attendance at the camp, which aims to provide an opportunity for world youth to gather together during the Olympic Games to promote international goodwill.

Amongst other activities the participants will attend the Opening Ceremony at the Games, as well as four sporting events of their preference. They will have the opportunity to visit the Olympic Village, participate in the Team Welcome Ceremonies and spend a day at Ancient Olympia.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee asked each of the summer federations to submit one young athlete of each sex for consideration. The New Zealand Olympic Committee received Twenty-nine applications and Hayley's credentials were deemed 'exceptional'; meeting and surpassing the selection criteria, which included age, athletic prowess; and academic, civic and artistic acheivements.

Hayley, achieved an "A" Bursary last year, including a scholarship in geography. She is the top female youth boardsailor in New Zealand and has her sights set on forming part of the Yachting Olympic Team, representing New Zealand in the women's Mistral class at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Simon WICKHAM, Yachting New Zealand's Chief Executive comments, "this is a wonderful opportunity that the Olympic Committee has extended to Hayley and we are sure that if her dreams of representing New Zealand in 2008 or beyond are attained she will be all the better for having experienced the Olympic Games as part of this youth camp.â€� 
Yachting New Zealand
http://www.yachting.org.nz/