From the dizzying gymnastics heights of African-American Simone Biles to Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik and Brazilian golden girl Rafaela Silva in judo — Rio proved a groundbreaking Games for women.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt drew down the curtain on his brilliant Olympic career by securing a sweep of the sprint titles for a third successive Games.

Cilic accomplished the feat on little rest, as he did not leave the court after his semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov until 2am Sunday morning due to rain delays

Geno Auriemma, coach of the US women’s Olympic gold medal-winning basketball team, says he is constantly reminded that, “It’s not whether you win or lose — until you lose”.

Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer in the third inning for the Nationals and Chris Heisey had a two-run shot in the sixth inning

Twenty years after a stinging Olympic failure, Britain has risen from the ashes to become a sporting “superpower” typified by the exploits of cycling lovebirds Jason Kenny and Laura Trott.

China seem to be in a rebuilding phase ahead of Tokyo, capital of its war-time rival and former colonial power which still evokes resentment among many Chinese

‘While other countries have scripted a turnaround in their fortune, we continue to languish in mediocrity’

A rollercoaster fortnight which mixed off-field hitches with sporting drama comes to an end

‘It can’t be denied that today was a difficult day but we are at the beginning and we can do better in terms of our play and physical level’

Misbah-ul-Haq’s side has become only the fifth team after Australia, England, India and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings since these were introduced in 2003

‘Physically he’s behind the others and you couldn’t tell. He started in the best way, with an early goal. He’s already said it’s an important year for him, and he’s showing that’