A double Olympic medalist is backing one of Tauranga's most promising athletes to become a future Olympic star.

Nick Willis has announced the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo will be his last and says he is ready to 'pass the baton” on to Tauranga Ramblers runner Sam Tanner, who was recently selected for the New Zealand Olympic team for the first time.

Tokyo will be Willis' fifth Olympic Games. The Lower Hutt 1500m runner made his Olympic debut at Athens in 2004 before picking up a silver medal at Beijing in 2008. He went on to be team NZ flagbearer at the London Olympics in 2012 before winning bronze in Rio four years later.

However, the 37-year-old is ready to call time on his Olympic journey but is excited to spend time with Tanner this summer.

'We've raced against each other two or three times and he's broken my records,” says Willis.

'We've got a lot of shared interests so it's going to be really fun to share this experience in Tokyo.”

The 20-year-old broke Willis' 1500m indoor national record in February so the elder statesmen has reason to believe Tanner can follow in his footsteps.

'Let's face it, this is going to be my last time around the track in a 1500m at the Olympics and he's only just starting his career so it's awesome to pass the baton over to him and he can carry the torch for NZ middle distance running for the next decade or two.”

Speaking to SunLive after earning selection to the Olympic team the former Bethlehem College pupil, who is currently studying and training at the University of Washington in Seattle, admitted Willis is his 'running hero” so such public backing will no doubt buoy the youngster.

As for Willis, the New Zealand Olympic regular is happy to bow out on his terms at Tokyo.

'It's a real honour and privilege to represent New Zealand at five Olympics,” he says.

'I grew up watching the Games and it was always so special to see the black singlet. I hope that some little kids in NZ can see me and it pushes them on with their sporting journey.”