New Zealand could be heading for its best podium count at an Olympic Games if world rankings are translated into medals at Beijing.
A report released by Sparc this week shows that 30 New Zealand athletes or teams are ranked in the top eight in the world.
New Zealand currently has four world champions in Olympic disciplines: Tom Ashley (windsurfing), Mahe Drysdale (rowing), men's coxless four (rowing) and Valerie Vili (athletics).
There are also five silver medallists: Barbara Kendall (windsurfing), men's pair (rowing), Dan Slater (yachting), Sarah Walker (BMX) and Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell (rowing).
The back-up for these medallists is also impressive: fourth place (three), fifth (six), sixth (four), seventh (five) and eighth (three).
Any of these individuals or teams could lift their performance and reach the podium in Beijing.
The athletics section manager Raylene Bates this week described the detailed preparation being made by team management for the Olympics.
This will give team members every chance of performing at their best in the red hot heat of the Olympic arena.
The best New Zealand medal count at an Olympic Games was in Seoul in 1988 when 13 medals - three gold, two silver and eight bronze - were won.
Eleven medals were won in Los Angeles in 1984 and 10 in Barcelona in 1992. The best gold medal count was the eight titles won in 1984.
The chief executive of the Academy of Sport in Dunedin, Keryn Smith, said yesterday that New Zealand's impressive standing in world sport reflected the long term and consistent support for top athletes.
''It is setting a bench mark for young athletes coming through into this competitive environment,'' Smith said. ``The daily support is starting to pay dividends.''
This improved standard is reflected in Otago with five athletes already named in the Olympic team and another three likely to be added.
An example of the benefits of the close daily attention given top athletes is Dunedin cyclist Alison Shanks who finished seventh in the 3000m individual pursuit at the world championships in Manchester last month.
The Sparc funding enabled her to train full time and this has been an important factor in her rapid move up the international ranking list.
Dunedin's Daniels sisters - Nina and Lisa - have been able to train and compete in Canada because of the Sparc funding.
There are another five former world and Olympic champions who are currently outside the top eight who are capable of getting back on the podium at Beijing.
They are Beatrice Faumuina (athletics), Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson (equestrian), Bevan Docherty (triathlon) and Rob Waddell (rowing).
There are also five support staff from Otago in the team - Helen Littleworth (physiotherapist), Raylene Bates (athletics team manager), Craig Palmer (cycling coach and sports science), John Hellemans (triathlon coach), Yvette Latta (massage therapist with rowing team).
