In almost any other sport or competition, it would be anathema to a type of observer, especially Real Championship Man: The wretched dead rubber.

It was the perfect end to a near-perfect year as Serena Williams retained her WTA Championships title in Istanbul.

Ryan Lochte may have set a new world record in the 200 metres individual medley at the World Short-Course Championships in Istanbul last night but it was images of the five-time Olympic champion giving away his gold medal that commanded as much attention.

Eleven-time Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte has predicted that 18-time champion Michael Phelps will return to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016.