By Duncan MackayFiji has launched a search for sponsors to help support its preparations for this year's Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games, as well as the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

having won a total of 1,240 medals, including 386 gold.At the last Games, four years ago, in Nouméa, New

Port Moresby between July 4 and 18, is likely to be of a higher standard, however, as Australia and New

Zealand will be competing in some events for the first time. 

By Nick ButlerChina's former International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president He Zhenliang, a chief architect behind the Beijing 2008 Olympics, has died aged 85. 

honorary members - Ibraham Diallo of Guinea, Dame Mary Glen-Haig of Great Britain and Tay Wilson of New

Zealand - in 2014 ©Getty Images Born in Wuxi in Jiangsu Province in 1929, He Zhenliang was an engineer

By Nick ButlerAmerica's Sochi 2014 Paralympic bronze medal winning snowboarder Amy Purdy has documented her recovery from a double amputation with the release of an autobiography.

reportedly making her the first double-amputee to participate in the sport.After a bronze medal at the New

Zealand Winter Games in 2011, she capitalised on the sport's inclusion on the Paralympic programme for

around, the chief difficulty before the Games lay in the demand issued by 17 African countries that New

Zealand - whose rugby players had recently played against apartheid South Africa - should withdraw or

risk an African boycott.Davidge explained how the New Zealand Chef de Mission had come to him for advice

New Zealand did stand firm - something for which John Walker, who won the 1500 metres gold, was particularly

Zealand counterpart not to withdraw from the Games despite the threat of an African boycott ©Sports

opportunity of competing in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in 2017, as well as Australia and New

Zealand taking part in the Pacific Games in Port Moresby next year, it has been claimed.

members of the ONOC plus its seven associates, including Norfolk, Wallis & Futuna, Northern Marianas, New

Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah ©Ashgabat 2017Blas also welcomed the decision to allow Australian and New

Zealand athletes to compete in a limited number of events at the 2015 Pacific Games, which is due to

take place in Papua New Guinea's capital from July 4 until 18.As well as ncreasing the prestige of the

Zealand to take part in 2015 Pacific Games

By Emily GoddardChinese city Qingdao has been selected to remain as the Asian venue for the International Sailing Federation World Cup in 2015 and 2016 having already hosted the past two years' events.

2014: European venues invited to submit bids for 2014-2015 Sailing World Cup April 2014: French and New

Zealand sailors impress on opening day of season's final World Cup eventApril 2014: World's best to

By Daniel EtchellsParalympics New Zealand (PNZ) has presented a PNZ Order of Merit to Dave Hill for his

services to Para-sport in New Zealand.

member, added: "Dave spent countless hours organising major fundraising events for Paralympic Sport in New

Zealand whilst also personally supporting his wife Trish, a New Zealand Paralympian."

Mission for the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games and attended many events as support to Paralympics New

Zealand teams."

By Mike RowbottomChristopher Davidge, who rowed for Britain in three successive Olympics from 1952 and led the team into the 1976 Montreal Games Opening Ceremony as Chef de Mission, has died aged 85.

a 2011 interview with Rowing & Regatta, the British Rowing magazine, how he had helped persuade New

the 1951 Boat Race ©Getty ImagesBoycott threats were made after 17 African countries demanded that New

Zealand - whose rugby players had recently played against apartheid South Africa - should withdraw."

Great pressure was being put on the New Zealand Chef de Mission," Davidge recalled.

New Zealand remained at the Games allowing John Walker to get his 1500 metres gold medal.A total of 22

By Paul OsborneValerie Adams has landed the New Zealand Olympic Committee's Lonsdale Cup for a record

the year.Adams has certainly accomplished this feat after recording yet another unbeaten season.The New

me this year, there have been some special highs along the way including the honour of carrying the New

Zealand flag at the Commonwealth Games."

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith applauded Adams' commitment to youth and sport

Valerie's achievements inspire millions of New Zealanders," Smith said."

By Emily GoddardParalympics New Zealand (PNZ) has named Marguerite Christophers as its full-time classification

all 22 member sports for the nation's Para-athletes, as well as training classifiers and developing new

Paralympics New Zealand is delighted to see one of our own, Marguerite Christophers, step up into the

Zealand Para-athletes."

Zealand and lead the classification strategy as we head into the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games."

Zealand holds workshops to train future Parasport classifiersOctober 2010: Paratriathlon appoints head

By Nick ButlerMore than PNK K30 million (£7.5 million/$11.5 million/€9.5 million) has been raised through sponsorship with seven months to go until the start of the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games, it has been announced.

has now been raised for what is set to be the biggest international sporting event ever held in Papua New

The Government of Papua New Guinea has been very supportive and we want to thank the Prime Minister and

is scheduled for July 4 to 18 next year, with 24 countries set to compete, including, Australia and New

Zealand for the first time. 

Both will compete in rugby sevens, weightlifting, sailing and taekwondo competitions, while New Zealand

By Emily GoddardSouth Africa today defeated New Zealand 26-17 in their home Sevens World Series final

Elizabeth was a repeat of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal game, where South Africa overcame New

Zealand 17-12, and sees the Blitzboks continuing on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympics on the right foot.Today's

victory after they triumphed at last week's Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens.Defending Series champions New

Zealand got an early lead thanks to Sherwin Stowers crossing out wide, but home athlete Philip Snyman

By Duncan MackayA total of 39 representatives from 18 countries have taken part in the second Rio 2016 National Paralympic Committees Open Day, with most having left seemingly quite impressed.

Bahrain, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, The Gambia, Israel, Jordan, Namibia, New

Zealand, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay visited the Brazilian city to inspect the facilities and to receive

New Zealand's Chef de Mission Ben Lucas also praised the transformation in Rio de Janeiro."

ice-hockey player, Hayley Wickenheiser of Canada, who became an IOC member this year, is the highest new

Prince Feisal Jordan 1,661 (n/a)15. (13) James Tomkins Australia 1,160 (875)16. (14) Barbara Kendall New

Zealand 946 (722)17. (15) Marisol Casado Spain  919 (607)18. (16) Danka Barteková  Slovakia  511 (275

By Paul OsborneParalympics New Zealand (PNZ) is reaching out to businesses and the general public in

The governing body for Para-sport in New Zealand was awarded an increase of NZD$200,000 (£100,000/$160,000

Paralympics New Zealand is very grateful to have received a further NZD$200,000 per year from High Performance

Sport New Zealand in 2015 and 2016, and we are especially pleased that High Performance Sport New Zealand

Paralympics New Zealand has grown in leaps and bounds since London 2012, but for the first time, success

Paralympics New Zealand will be running a very flexible commercial programme," said Froggatt."