Delegates from Australia, the United States, Canada, China, Japan and Korea arrived in Queenstown yesterday to tour snow facilities ahead of next year's event, which was publicly confirmed for the first time last month.
Last night they were welcomed at an official reception hosted by Queenstown Lakes District mayor Clive Geddes, and promised an event that would ‘‘blow their socks off'' by New Zealand Olympic Committee president Eion Edgar, who is also chairman of Winter Games NZ.
Also welcoming delegates was Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor, Central Otago mayor Malcolm Macpherson, and other dignitaries.
Australian delegate Ian Chesterman, the Australian Olympic Committee's chef de mission in 2010, told the Otago Daily Times the Games was a ‘‘fantastic initiative'' well suited to the region's infrastructure.
‘‘You only have to come here to see the opportunity that exists here for winter sports,'' he said.
Staging the event just months before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver would also allow New Zealand and Australian athletes the chance to compete against top international talent before going for gold in Canada, he said.
‘‘To have the opportunity to get the athletes all together immediately prior to the Winter Olympics is fantastic".
‘‘Full credit to New Zealand for actually making it happen. It's something that's a real bonus for Southern Hemisphere sports,'' he said.
Today, the delegates will be briefed by members of the New Zealand Olympic Committee before visiting Wanaka.
On Friday, they will be flown by helicopter to visit Coronet Peak, which will host some skiing events, before seeing other venues throughout Otago.
