International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach praised Rio's "marvellous Games" during a closing ceremony marked by colour, music and rain at the Maracana Stadium.

But for Rory McIlroy’s solo march to his second major at Kiawah Island, golf’s final grand event of the season, the USPGA, might have been shunted into the sidings by the medals and records, inspiration and heartache of the London Olympics.

BARACK OBAMA’S victory in the USA presidential election may have been seen as a huge boost for Chicago’s hopes of winning the bid for the 2016 Olympics, but rivals Rio de Janeiro hope the same mood for change will swing the contest their way.

The Brazilian Olympic Committee have announced they will attempt to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro.

THE BRAZILIAN Olympic Committee (COB) has officially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne for marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima to be awarded an Olympic gold medal.