By his own admission, New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) chef de mission Nigel Avery is unhappy with what he calls "unfair" COVID-19 protocols ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
The former weightlifter left for Birmingham on Friday, where he'll lead New Zealand's team of 233 athletes.
And while some COVID regulations have been lifted, Avery is concerned the willingness to let positive athletes compete could cost Kiwi competitors the chance to wear the fern.
Twenty years on from being New Zealand's flagbearer in Manchester, Avery has other things to carry to Birmingham.
The five-time medallist has left for his first Commonwealth Games in his new role and a frantic fortnight awaits the NZOC chef de mission and other organisers.
"It's a pretty exciting team," Avery told Newshub. "[The organising is] I think like a swan.
"Gliding majestically on the surface, but paddling frantically underneath."
Birds aside, this Games will look and feel different to last year's Olympics, the return of boisterous crowds for one.
But the shadow of COVID will still hover over Birmingham.
"What we've said is, 'instead of wearing masks when you're close to athletes when you're inside', it's 'you're close to an athlete, you wear a mask'."
However, controversially, athletes can compete even if they test positive.
The Games' organising committee says it'll take a bespoke approach, assessing various areas, including COVID history, the sport and risk.
Regardless, athletes won't have to publicly disclose if they're positive.
"Human nature, being as it is, at a critical event like this, some people may think 'well, if I have to say I'm sick and test positive, I'm out'.
"So what we're saying is you have an obligation, not just from a health perspective, but your teammates."
That means a New Zealand athlete could come up against someone who has the virus.
"It would seem [unfair]. I guess it depends on the nature of the competition," Avery continued.
"I guess it depends on the nature of the competition. If it's a multiple-day situation and our affected athlete had to carry on.
"If it was a one-and-done thing, it may have no bearing.
"So I guess the whole big word in this [is] - it depends."
The success of New Zealand athletes could depend on the health of others.
