The World Masters Games is expected to draw 25,000 athletes from 100 countries to Auckland next year - more than take part in the Olympics.
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It was announced yesterday that Sir Peter Snell would be a starter in the table tennis.
The games are held every four years, having started in 1985, and encourage athletes of any gender, religion or sporting status to compete.
The only barriers to entry are a minimum age, which ranges between 25 and 40 depending on the sport, and capacity on a first-in, first served basis.
Already, 15,000 athletes from 80 countries have signed up.
Games ambassador and retired Olympic triathlete Hamish Carter said it was exciting to hear of so many from all over the world wanted to compete.
"I think there's so much momentum going into Christmas that really it's going to be the biggest multi-sport event in the world," he said.
"So, it's going to be right here in Auckland, so it's going to be amazing."
Registrations close early next year, for the games in April.
