Paula Tesoriero, Paralympic gold medalist and para-cyclist, has been appointed as Chef de Mission for New Zealand's Paralympic team for Tokyo 2020.

The role of a Chef de Mission is to provide leadership and experience to the national team, giving support to the athletes and coaches to perform their best in the games. 

Paula Tesoriero said: "It is an absolute honour to be named Chef de Mission for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

"I am thrilled to continue my involvement in the Paralympic Movement by leading the New Zealand Paralympic Team.

"Paralympians are incredible role models and, through their success, challenge societal perceptions of disabled people."

Tesoriero won one gold and two bronze medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic games and later won two World Championships in 2009.

She is currently the Disability Rights Commissioner for New Zealand and wants to maintain the success they had at the Rio 2016 Olympics, when the team of 31 Paralympians brought home 21 medals securing 13th position in the medal table.

Fiona Allen, Chief Executive of Paralympics New Zealand, is pleased with Tesoriero's appointment, calling her leadership skills exemplary.

"Paula will ensure that the best possible high-performance environment is created in Tokyo with the Paralympians’ needs at the centre." 

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will take place on August 25th to Septemeber 6th with 540 events showcasing 22 sports with the newly added sports badminton and taekwondo making their debut at the games.