Photo: ReutersHeavy defeats in sports dominated by China in previous Olympics have left the country languishing in an unfamiliar third place in the medals table, with some predicting that Rio 2016 could see the country's worst haul since 1996. By 9am on Wednesday (NZT), the team had accumulated 48 medals - 15 golds, 15 silvers and 18 bronze. China, which sent its largest overseas delegation of 416 athletes to Rio this year, won 16 golds in 1996 and 28 in 2000. In the men's synchronised three-metre springboard diving, Britain ended the eight-year reign of China who took bronze. Many commentators said that enjoying sport, rather than obsessing about gold medals, was increasingly important to China.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 16, 2016 20:26 UTC