Katherine Grainger’s quest for Olympic glory is over after she won a sensational gold medal with Anna Watkins in the women’s double scull.

Our population figures are almost identical, our climates are similar, as is our love of sport. So why is New Zealand — and not Ireland — punching above its weight at the Olympic Games?

Four of the six Irish crews were in heats action on the opening day of the 2007 Rowing World Championships in Munich this morning.