The announcement was made by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) to coincide with the 100 day to go point until this summer's Olympic Games.

Kate McIlroy and Beijing 2008 Olympians Kris Gemmell and Andrea Hewitt have also all been confirmed in the New Zealand triathlon squad.

Nicky Samuels and Ryan Sissons will qualify for London if New Zealand can maintain their place in world's top eight nations until the end of May, which at present seems likely.

Docherty, 35, won bronze in Beijing four years' ago and a silver at the Athens 2004 Games.

"After winning bronze in Beijing to go with my silver from Athens I made it clear the only thing missing was the gold to go with the collection," said Docherty.

"I have not wavered from that thought; that is my goal, to go to London and win gold.

"I am as excited about this opportunity as any in my career."

Docherty finished 12th in the opening leg of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Series last weekend in Sydney, Australia.

Gemmell joins Docherty after his seventh place finish in that race last weekend.

Hewitt, who competed in Beijing, has been in superb form of late with victories at the Beijing Grand Final, Yokohama Series event and the Auckland World Cup in recent months.

She finished third in Sydney last week underlining her status as a serious contender for a medal in London this summer.

"Qualifying early for the games has been a huge help for me and allowed me to concentrate on peaking at the right time of the year," the 30-year-old said.

"My form at the moment is great considering I have not yet done any of the speed work that will be crucial in London.

"While it is some time since my nomination was confirmed to the NZOC, the naming of the team today is a very proud moment for me, my coach Laurent and my family."

McIlroy (pictured below) will go to London four years after she qualified for the Olympics in the 3,000 metre steeplechase, before being forced to pull out through injury.


She finished 2011 ranked 17th in the world, and the former world mountain running champion said: "It has been my lifelong goal to compete in the Olympic Games.

"I watched the 2008 Olympic triathlon on TV and thought 'this is a sport I could be good at'.

"I had the running legs; I just needed to learn the other two disciplines."

Samuels, who won her first World Cup race in Mooloolaba last year, has overcome serious heart issues including two operations, and so her selection for the Olympics will be a remarkable achievement.

Sissons is a former world under-23 silver medallist who will go to his first Olympics if his selection is confirmed next month.

Damian Pedreschi, the New Zealand triathlon selector, said: "Andrea, Kate, Nicky, Kris, Bevan and Ryan are superb athletes and wonderful ambassadors for the sport and the country.

"They have come through a comprehensive selection process and are deserving of their places on the start line in London."

Pedreschi also paid tribute to those who missed out, such as Beijing Olympian Debbie Tanner, who finished 10th four years' ago.

"While celebrating the success of those named today and wishing them and Greg well in London, we would like to acknowledge those athletes who were not selected, and highlight that it was a very difficult decision," he said.

"It is their calibre that demonstrates the depth and talent of triathletes in New Zealand."

Kereyn Smith, the NZOC secretary general and selector, picked up Hewitt as a particular medal hope for this summer.

"We've got a real reputation in both men's and women's triathlon and they have made their mark internationally.

"Andrea is a real medal contender.

"I'm delighted to welcome them to our proud Olympic team."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]