Youth Olympics: Renee Hannah to mentor athletes

Rotorua's Renee Hannah can't wait to begin her role as the New Zealand ambassador at the 2014 Youth Olympics in China. Photo/Supplied.

Rotorua water skier Renee Hannah has been named New Zealand ambassador for the 2014 Youth Olympics in China.

Hannah, 22, will accompany 100 young athletes from New Zealand competing at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing in August.

She will work as a mentor as well as encouraging the Kiwi athletes to take part in cultural and education programmes linked with the event.

"I'm absolutely stoked, I can't believe it," she said about being picked for the job.

"I'll be mentoring the athletes using my experience as an athlete and helping them through the challenges that a big competition like that brings."

Hannah last competed on the world stage in 2011, and has since completed a sports degree at Waikato University and joined Sport New Zealand.

She said she was chosen for the role from about 100 applicants. "Basically the job is for the New Zealand Olympic Committee, so I will work alongside them and bridge the gap between them [and the athletes]," she said.

Hannah will travel to China in March for an ambassadors' conference, where she will learn more about the role.

She said she was looking forward to helping our athletes do their best . "Just seeing the kids doing the best that they can and seeing them have the opportunity to represent New Zealand will be great."

Hannah said she knew how overwhelming an event on the world stage could be, and was looking forward to encouraging the athletes. "I think it is about getting them to realise as much as it is about performing it is also about experience," she said "I remember my first world champs much clearer than any other event, representing New Zealand for the first time is pretty special."

Hannah attended Rotorua Girls' High School and is based in Auckland working at Triathlon New Zealand.