Wong aims to pen a winning story

Hong Kong's Wong Chun Ting is part of a dying breed in table tennis thanks to his penhold grip, but the world No. 8 hopes to revive the style by winning a medal in Rio.

While the European-style shakehand grip is now in the ascendancy, he decided on the penhold style to emulate China's Wang Hao. Wang won three consecutive individual Olympic silver medals in Athens, Beijing and London.

Phelps and Ledecky picked for relays

Americans Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky will both feature in the 4x100m freestyle relay teams.

Neither of the country's best-known swimmers qualified for individual freestyle events at the national trials.

Chinese unlikely to top medals table

China have sent their largest team to an overseas Olympics, but forecasters predict the 416 athletes will fail to match the country's greatest medal haul.

Eight years after leading the world with 100 medals at Beijing 2008, China are expected to win only 89 in Rio de Janeiro, according to a Dartmouth College study.

Eyes on cycling cheats using devices

Technology developed to catch cheats using hidden motors during cycling races will be used during the events in Rio.

The technology was deployed at this year's Tour de France and the testing involves the use of scanning devices, thermal imaging and invasive testing from time to time.

Zika not valid reason, says golfer van Zyl

South African Jaco van Zyl, who sat out the PGA Championship, the year's last Major, to prepare for the Olympics, says the world's top-ranked golfers are using the Zika virus as an excuse to dodge the Rio Games.

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE