Paris Olympics: James Preston added to NZ team after breaking Sir Peter Snell's iconic record

Kiwi runner James Preston has capped a memorable week by being named to the New Zealand team for the Paris Olympics.

Just two days after breaking Sir Peter Snell's longstanding 800m record, Preston was added to the athletics contingent to head to France in July. 

"This is something I've been working towards for a long time," said Preston.

"It's really exciting to get the opportunity to wear the fern on that Olympic stage and get to showcase the effort my team has put in during the build up." 

On Sunday, Preston clocked a blistering 1m 44.04s to win the men's 800m at the Merck Running Festival meet in Pfungstadt, Germany.

The time eclipsed Sir Peter's 62-year-old New Zealand record, and then world record mark of 1m 44.30s, while also surpassing the Olympic entry standard.

"The (Olympic) entry standard is the main thing for me with the record being a bonus," said Preston.  

"Everything has been geared up in terms of trying to qualify, but to be able to do that makes our plan for the next couple of months a wee bit easier and less stressful around the build-up," said Preston post-race.

"This performance sets me up for the next couple of months. We aren't as focused on running the standard right now, so hopefully I'll get in some more competitions and run a wee bit faster. 

Preston now hopes to write his own slice of Kiwi athletics lore in Paris.

"In terms of Snell's record, he did so much for middle-distance running in New Zealand the best way to honour what he did was to try and better it, so to be able to do that is amazing.  

"I'm hoping that someone will come along and break my record one day and better what I've done."

Kiwi runner James Preston has capped a memorable week by being named to the New Zealand team for the Paris Olympics.

Just two days after breaking Sir Peter Snell's longstanding 800m record, Preston was added to the athletics contingent to head to France in July. 

"This is something I've been working towards for a long time," said Preston.

"It's really exciting to get the opportunity to wear the fern on that Olympic stage and get to showcase the effort my team has put in during the build up." 

On Sunday, Preston clocked a blistering 1m 44.04s to win the men's 800m at the Merck Running Festival meet in Pfungstadt, Germany.

The time eclipsed Sir Peter's 62-year-old New Zealand record, and then world record mark of 1m 44.30s, while also surpassing the Olympic entry standard.

"The (Olympic) entry standard is the main thing for me with the record being a bonus," said Preston.  

"Everything has been geared up in terms of trying to qualify, but to be able to do that makes our plan for the next couple of months a wee bit easier and less stressful around the build-up," said Preston post-race.

"This performance sets me up for the next couple of months. We aren't as focused on running the standard right now, so hopefully I'll get in some more competitions and run a wee bit faster. 

Preston now hopes to write his own slice of Kiwi athletics lore in Paris.

"In terms of Snell's record, he did so much for middle-distance running in New Zealand the best way to honour what he did was to try and better it, so to be able to do that is amazing.  

"I'm hoping that someone will come along and break my record one day and better what I've done."

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