EIGHTS ARE RIO BOUND
A New Zealand eight once again made history as the New Zealand rowing team hauled in a mighty five gold, three silver and one bronze at the world championships on Lake Aiguebelette in France.
By winning silver, the womens eight earned New Zealand its first Olympic appearance in that event. The mens eight also qualified for Rio next year by finishing fourth returning to an Olympics for the first time since 1984.
New Zealand won gold in three Olympic-class events at these championships Eve Macfarlane and Zoe Stevenson in the womens double sculls; Sophie Mackenzie and Julia Edward in the womens lightweight double sculls; and Hamish Bond and Eric Murray swept to their sixth consecutive world title in the mens pairs. Olympic champion single sculler Mahe Drysdale was pipped for gold by his arch-rival, Czech Ondrej Synek, while double scullers Robbie Manson and Chris Harris hung on in a tight finish for bronze.
PRICE IS ALMOST RIGHT AT BURGHLEY
A perfect show jumping round has vaulted New Zealand equestrian Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy to second overall in the Burghley Horse Trials in England. Price thrilled with his young horses performance - was narrowly denied the respected Burghley title by world No. 1 rider Michael Jung of Germany.
Prices wife Jonelle came agonizingly close to holding on to third overall, until her horse Classic Moet dropped a single rail and ended up fifth. New Zealands Olympic legend Sir Mark Todd completed a clear show jumping round on Leonidas to end the prestigious event in sixth place. Jock Paget and Shady Grey were 16th.
MOUNTAIN BIKERS TRIUMPH IN ANDORRA
New Zealand riders Anton Cooper and Sam Gaze have their sights set on the Rio Olympics, after their medal success at the UCI mountain bike world championships in Andorra.
The 2014 Commonwealth gold medallist, Cooper overcame a muddy and brutally tough course to win the world under-23 cross country title in a sprint finish on Saturday, while Gaze silver medallist in Glasgow last year - was fourth. Earlier in the week, Gaze claimed silver in the quick-fire eliminator final.
KEREYN SMITH ELECTED VP
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith MNZM is focused on refreshing the Commonwealth Games movement, in her new role as vice president of the Commonwealth Federation board.
Elected to the role at the federation's annual general assembly in Auckland last week, Smith said she would work to ensure the Commonwealth sports movement became more than a four-yearly event, through implementing the new Transformation 2022 strategy. "I understand the importance of a strong connection between sport, events, athletes and community and the power of the Commonwealth Games to do this.
BOBBI BEARS THE FLAG
Talented young swimmer Bobbi Gichard proudly carried the New Zealand flag at the colourful opening ceremony of the Young Commonwealth Games on Saturday night, leading a New Zealand team of 27 into Apia Park in Samoa.
Gichard, bronze medallist in the 100m backstroke at last years Youth Olympics and ranked 25th in the world in the 200m backstroke, was given the flagbearer role for showing great maturity and leadership, chef de mission Trevor Shailer says. New Zealands athletes, aged 14-18, are competing with 65 other nations in nine sports over five days.
IOC GIVES HELPING HAND TO REFUGEES
As the refugee crisis continues to grip Europe, the International Olympic Committee has announced a $2 million fund for programmes focused on refugees.
The money will be distributed through projects proposed by the National Olympic Committees, and will be carried out extremely quickly as the Olympic Movement plays its part in bringing humanitarian aid to the tens of thousands who have fled the Syrian conflict. The IOC already works with a number of United Nations agencies to help refugees around the world.
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