Barista gets a shot at Olympic glory

JOHN SELKIRK/Dominion Post

KEY ROLE: Barista Julianne Frith is off to Beijing so Kiwi athletes can pause for a coffee while chasing medals - all the tea in China cannot compensate for a caffeine fix.

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Barista Julianne Frith is off to Beijing so Kiwi athletes can pause for a coffee while chasing gold medal glory.

Ms Frith, an award-winning barista, was chosen by an interview board comprising former Kiwi Olympians Hamish Carter and Robyn Wong, Commonwealth Games competitor Dallas Seymour and Beijing chef de mission Dave Currie.

Her spot in the Games team will ensure athletes, support staff and visitors to the New Zealand village can enjoy a decent cuppa - and all the tea in China will not compensate for a decent caffeine fix.

Though she won't be in line to take home any medals, Miss Frith, 21, believes she should get one for making the most coffees.

"I'm going to try to keep count of how many coffees I make. I will probably count up the stacks of takeaway cups at the end of each day."

She expects to make about 500 coffees a day at the village and to work "hard-out" hours. "Now that it's getting closer I am getting a bit nervous."

She is looking forward to mixing work with travel. "Hopefully I will get a day off to go sightseeing with the other support team members."

Auckland University of Technology nutrition professor Elaine Rush thinks coffee could also prove crucial to athletes seeking an extra lift, but she says it depends on the person as it gives some a good boost, but does nothing for others.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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zac   #4   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Lucky girl. Wish I was going to Beijing with no pressure to come home with a medal...

Jok   #3   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This is brilliant - go Julianne. It shows the efforts that non athletes go to in supporting their teams and their country. I'm right behind Julianne Frith for doing this. Well done, enjoy it and good luck with serving the team.

aidan   #2   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

this is ridiculas! what a waste of money... idiots!

anmar   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Very important that count is kept, since the 2000 Olympics, caffeine has been banned by the International Olympic Committee. The level that is banned is approximately 8 cups of coffee.

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