Oliver a late addition to Rio

LATE INCLUSION: Whanganui runner Lucy Oliver (nee van Dalen) is off to Rio and the 5000m event.

Whanganui runner Lucy Oliver (nee van Dalen) has made the cut and is one of 14 New Zealand track and field athletes to compete in Rio next month.

Athletics New Zealand added four to the mix last Friday, including Oliver who will be competing at her second Olympics after reaching the final of the 1500m in London in 2012.

The announcement is just reward for Oliver's perseverance following an eventful year, where she recovered from injury, got married and took a lengthy break from serious competition.

Former Whanganui coach Alec McNab said Oliver sustained an injury following the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and took time out to review her commitment.

"I keep in touch and I know she wanted to take a bit of time out and then, of course, she got married in Whanganui in January," McNab said yesterday.

"Lucy has kept up her training, though and this announcement is just reward for her perseverance, I am delighted for her."

The 27-year-old will step up in distance to 5000m for Rio and her limited campaign to qualify in the USA was further evidence of her commitment to the sport and the country.

"Lucy has probably only had three or four preparatory races, but they were obviously enough for her to qualify," McNab said.

This brings the number of New Zealand athletes and administrators with Whanganui affiliations heading to Rio to 10. They include, runner Oliver, rowers Kerri Gowler, Chris
Harris and Rebecca Scown, rowing coaches Dick Tonks and Calvin Ferguson head track cycling coach Dayle Cheatley, assistant cycling sprint coach Jono Hamlin, Athletics NZ administrator Cath Austin and athlete support crew member Cath Cheatley.