Australia’s target to be one of the top five nations in the Rio 2016 medal table has been dubbed more “aspirational” than likely by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) director Matt Favier.

behind the United States, China, Russia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea and New

Zealand at Rio 2016.Furthermore, having missed out on top spot at last year’s Commonwealth Games in

Hong Kong has been announced by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as the third and final destination of the 2015-2016 Track Cycling World Cup.

Championships ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe second round is due to take place from December 5 to 6 in Cambridge, New

Zealand, before the World Cup draws to a close in Hong Kong.The world’s top cyclists will be using

World Rugby have announced the dates and locations of the rugby sevens regional Olympic qualification tournaments, which offer six men’s and women’s teams the chance to book their place at Rio 2016.

ImagesOceanic men’s and women’s teams will have their chance to secure a Rio 2016 berth in Auckland, New

Zealand on November 14 and 15, and on the same weekend the African men’s qualifier will be staged in

Zealand close in on Rio 2016 after fourth straight World Rugby Women's Sevens Series winApril 2015: 

Australia, Canada and New Zealand progress at World Rugby Women's Sevens with unbeaten recordsMarch 2015

: New Zealand defeat hosts to secure third consecutive Women's Sevens Series winMarch 2015: New Zealand

host the Olympic Games should not be reserved to "just 20 countries in the world" during a visit to New

Zealand today, claiming his Agenda 2020 reform process will "open doors" for non-traditional hosts. 

Zealand when challenging the nation to put together a future bid that the IOC "cannot say no to"."

New Zealand is a great sports country," he claimed, as reported locally."

"It would be very well appreciated if New Zealand would look into hosting the Olympic Games one day."

Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) President Mike Stanley was realistic in pointing out that such a bid

There's a question about whether New Zealand wants to go down that path at all," he said."

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has praised Vanuatu for its rebuilding effort since the devastating impact of Cyclone Pam earlier this year, as he discussed how to distribute the grant of $500,000 (£330,000/€440,000) promised to the Pacific island nation.

they will generate enough funding to compete at Rio 2016.Bach is next due to make a two-day visit to New

Zealand, starting tomorrow.Related stories: April 2015: IOC President Bach to visit Vanuatu in

Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, has announced the Rod Laver Arena will host the opening matches of the biennial International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Oceania Championships.

announcement means the Jayco Opals and Airbnb Boomers, Australia’s women’s and men’s teams take on their New

Zealand counterparts, the Tall Ferns and Tall Blacks, at the home of the Australian Open tennis championships.It

August 15 in a double header, before the return leg of the women’s series takes place in Tauranga, New

Zealand on August 17, with the men’s competition drawing to a close the following day in Wellington.The

Wheelchair racing superstar Tatyana McFadden is among the nominations for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) athlete of the month after she won both the Boston and London Marathon titles to cap a superb month.

both the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly marks in the women’s S10 last month at the Swimming New

Zealand Open Championships, securing her place on the team for July’s 2015 IPC Swimming Worlds in Glasgow

, returned to top form at the IPC Powerlifting Open Americas Championships in Mexico City setting a new

International Olympic Committee President (IOC) Thomas Bach was in typically enthusiastic form as he visited Fiji today, participating in a rugby training session before praising "great efforts" made to promote sport during a meeting with the Organisation of Sports Federations of Oceania.

July's Pacific Games in Port Moresby, claiming how the presence of continental giants Australia and New

Zealand for the first time shows the "power of sport for peace". 

United States, Serbia, Kosovo, Russia, India and Australia and will continue with trips to Vanuatu and New

Zealand next week, the official also met with Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today at Government

Fiji hosted a series of Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) workshops and meetings ahead of the regional sporting governing body’s General Assembly.

prepare the region for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and this year’s Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New

Meanwhile, ONOC Athletes’ Commission chair Barbara Kendall, a New Zealand Olympic sailing gold medallist

Cathy Freeman has led the Anzac Day commemorations to remember the Australian Olympians who enlisted in World War One.

to mark the day of remembrance for those who have served for their country at Anzac (Australian and New

Zealand Army Corps) services.

Rio 2016 has marked the 500 days to go until the Paralympic Games milestone with celebrations and a flash mob on Copacabana beach.

Confederation and Olympic Committee, said.Meanwhile, Fiona Allan, chief executive of Paralympics New

Zealand, said she is confident her nation’s athletes will meet their target of 12 gold medals.

athletes aim for performances that will contribute to qualification and ultimately selection in the New

Zealand Paralympic team,” she explained.

Zealand Open Championships and this week Michael Johnson winning gold and setting a world record in

Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee marked his return to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series with victory in Cape Town, South Africa.

leaving his brother Jonathan to take full advantage by winning the previous two legs in Auckland, New

Zealand and the Gold Coast, Australia.With Jonathan not participating in Cape Town, Alistair picked

Hungary have secured the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship gold medal after overcoming a strong Sweden 6-5 in the final at the Ice Cube Curling Centre on Sochi’s Olympic Park.

The US men secured a 9-4 win over Canada for the title as New Zealand defeated Denmark 6-4 for the bronze

Norway qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship after completing the round-robin stage with their undefeated record intact at the Ice Cube in Sochi. 

tie-breakers.Finland, who lost 12-11 to Latvia before winning 7-4 against China, play Sweden, 7-6 winners against New

Zealand after their defeat to Norway.The other tie-breaker sees Italy, 10-1 winners against Slovenia

Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom and Belguim’s Evi Van Acker renewed their rivalry in the laser radial class at the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Cup in Hyères, France, with sailors across the 12 events battling to earn their share of the €72,000 (£52,000/$78,000) prize money.

placed finishes from their races, with American duo Anne Haeger and Briana Provancha second, while New

comfortable 17 point advantage at the top of the women’s 49er FX standings.Peter Burling and Blair Tuke of New

Zealand are also clear in the men’s 49er competition.Britain's Giles Scott, winner of the Finn class