6 Feb 2014

Speed skater to carry NZ flag at Sochi

8:07 am on 6 February 2014

Speed skater Shane Dobbin has been named to carry the New Zealand flag at the WInter Olympic Games, which is getting underway in Sochi, in Russia.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee's handed the honour to the Vancouver Olympian, who's competing in the long track speed skating events.

Dobbin was presented with the symbols of the New Zealand Olympic team in a ceremony at the athletes' village

The 34-year-old was cloaked with Te Mahutonga, the New Zealand team kakahu, or cloak, and presented with the traditional pounamu pendant worn by the flag bearer.

Dobbin has been in Sochi for six days and is well underway with training. He competes first in Adler Stadium in the 5,000 metres on February the 8th, and in his favoured 10,000 metres on the 18th of February.