As a reverential student of New Zealand running history, Nick Willis found a unique place in its pantheon today with bronze in the 1500m at the Rio Olympics.

A target of 14 medals was set for New Zealand at Rio, but that was seen a little on the light side. With the Games wrapping up tomorrow, we rate our athletes.

It was lambasted before the Olympics had even started. High profile players pulling out left and right, citing various and somewhat

The Olympics have always been about more than winning a medal for world No.1 golfer Lydia Ko.

The lower profile sports leading the way as athletes wind down after the Olympics with the help of Tinder.

The history of Usain Bolt's three gold medals in three straight Games is glorious, but there was something missing.

Andrea Hewitt couldn't hide the sadness of the last nine months after crossing the Olympic finish line in Rio this morning.

Eliza McCartney, New Zealand's newest sporting star, has completed her meteoric rise and received a bronze medal in today's ceremony. McCartney

Nick Willis has won his second Olympic 1500m medal with a thrilling late run to snatch the bronze medal in Rio today.

The track programme of the Rio Olympics has come to a close, with Nick Willis and Mo Farah shining on the final day.

New Zealand athlete Nikki Hamblin and the American runner she tangled with in the heats of the 5000m have received a fair play award

Confirmation that dazzling little gymnast Simone Biles will carry the United States' flag tomorrow morning prompts the thought: who gets the gig for NZ?

Lydia Ko has added another milestone to her already impressive golf career - an Olympic medal.

Lydia Ko extended New Zealand's record haul at the Olympics to 17 with a silver medal in the women's golf overnight.

Portia Woodman sobbing under the goalposts after realising her try wouldn't win the Kiwi women's sevens team a gold.

Singing, cheering and a few kava sessions await Fiji's golden sevens team, when they are welcomed home in true island style today.

Tears flowed in Auckland as well as in Rio when Auckland teenager Eliza McCartney pole vaulted her way to Olympic glory yesterday.

They were flag-bearers at the opening ceremony and are rising stars of Team New Zealand's 2017 America's Cup campaign.

Unique set of Olympic titles could be a short-lived with Beijing relay medal under threat of being stripped over a teammate's reportedly failed retrospective doping test.

For evidence of Lisa Carrington's impact on New Zealand sprint canoeing, you didn't need to look much further than the final of the women's K4 500m.

Usain Bolt's not-so secret girlfriend is a Jamaican fashionista carnival queen with a body to make Kim Kardashian jealous.

COMMENT: For months, we were told these Olympics had the potential to be like no other.

After Eliza McCartney made it sweet 16 for New Zealand, Lydia Ko could tonight add to that tally in the golf.

Brazilians know the 7-1 loss to Germany's senior team at the World Cup will never be forgotten.

The New Zealand women's kayaking quartet have issued a warning to their Olympic final rivals.

Usain Bolt has bid farewell in the fashion that we'd all become accustomed to - as a gold medallist.

Questions are being raised about Ryan Lochte's future in swimming as he faces an Olympic disciplinary commission after lying about an armed robbery.

Australia's performance in a basketball defeat against Serbia with a guaranteed medal on the line was as bad as it gets

The cut-throat selection process for New Zealand's Olympic sailing team has been fully justified according to the sport's boss.

Quentin Rew needed the help of race officials after collapsing after the finishing line in the 50km walk.