New Zealand will end up smelling of roses in Rio's dodgy water.
That's the prediction from the giant American news agency Associated Press, whose comprehensive medal analysis says New Zealand will score a record 11 gold medals in the Olympic Games with eight coming in water sports.
The 1984 Gamesin Los Angeles provided New Zealand with its best gold medal haul of eight. The best overall medal count of 13 came four years later in Seoul and in the 2012 London Games.
If AP is right, those records will be obliterated in Rio with canoeist Lisa Carrington leading the way by winning two golds. It predicts New Zealand will claim five silver medals, and seven bronze.
The big calls: AP believes Valerie Adams is set to claim a third consecutive gold medal, but their crystal ball has rising shot put star Tom Walsh failing to make the podium. World number one Lydia Ko will finish second to American Stacy Lewis in the golf, while the New Zealand women will claim the rugby gold medal even though Australia has emerged as the dominant sevens team.
AP medal projector:
Gold (11) Women's Shot Put - Valerie Adams Women's K1 200m - Lisa Carrington Women's K1 500m - Lisa Carrington Cycling: Men's team sprint Rowing: Single sculls - Mahe Drysdale Rowing: Men's Pair - Hamish Bond and Eric Murray Rowing: Women's Double sculls - Eve MacFarlane and Zoe Stevenson Rowing: Women's Lightweight double sculls - Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie Sailing: Men's 49er - Peter Burling-Blair Tuke Sailing: Women's 470 - Jo Aleh-Polly Powrie Rugby sevens: Women
Silver (5) Rowing: Men's Double sculls - Christopher Harris and Robert Manson Rugby sevens: Men Cycling: Women's Individual Time Trial - Linda Villumsen Cycling: Men's keirin - Eddie Dawkins Women's golf - Lydia Ko
Bronze (7) Equestrian: Team Eventing Sailing: Finn - Josh Junior Rowing: Men's Lightweight four Rowing: Women's Single sculls - Emma Twigg Rowing: Women's Pair - Rebecca Scown and Genevieve Behrent Rowing: Women's eight Sailing: 49er FX - Alexandra Maloney-Molly Meech
