Who would you pick as New Zealand's athlete of the decade? The nominations are:
Rob Waddell (2000): New Zealand's only gold medallist at the 2000 Olympics. That year, he became the first athlete since the competition started in 1949 to win the supreme Halberg Award three times. He put his oars away in 2001 to join Team New Zealand as a grinder in two America's Cup challenges, but he returned to rowing in 2008 and made it to the double scull final at the Beijing Olympics.
Caroline & Georgina Evers Swindell (2001): Won the Halberg Award after gaining a silver medal in the double scull at the world rowing championships. They went on to win back-to-back Olympic golds in 2004 and 2008, and three world championship titles.
Tall Blacks (2002): They reached the FIBA World Basketball Championships for the first time. At the championships they scored a shock win over Russia, Venezuela and Puerto Rico to finish 4th - ahead of world basketball giants Spain, Brazil, the USA and Russia.
Silver Ferns (2003): During the year they went unbeaten in 11 internationals, culminating in their stunning 49-47 triumph over Australia in the 2003 World Championships, 16 years after their last title.
Sarah Ulmer (2004): Followed up her 2002 Commonwealth Gold medal in the 3000m individual pursuit with an amazing 2004. Won the world title in May with a world best of 3m30.63secs and backed that up by winning a gold at the Athens Olympics in a record 3m 24.53s - a record that still stands today.
Michael Campbell (2005): Became only the second Kiwi golfer after Sir Bob Charles to join very select company by holding aloft one of golf's 'Majors' after winning the 2005 US Open, holding off Tiger Woods during the closing holes. Won the World Match Play Championship that same year.
Mahe Drysdale (2006): Backed up his 1995 World Championships single scull title with a victory in 2006 - a world best time. Has since reigned supreme over the single seat with further world championship crowns in 2007 and 2009. Managed a brave 3rd at the Beijing Olympics. A sportsman finalist this year.
Valerie Vili (2007 & 2008): The current Commonwealth, Olympic, world indoor and outdoor women's shot-put champion. Vili has dominated her sport, remaining unbeaten for the last two years with amazing throws at the Beijing Olympics and the 2009 World Championships. A sportswoman finalist this year.
My pick is Caroline & Georgina Evers Swindell. What's yours?