#RoadToRio

BBC reports the number two seeds completed a 44-38 victory over China, who were champions in London four years ago.

Romania, who finished sixth in the team epee in London, were in control throughout the game after winning the opening bout.

The Russian team secured their sixth bronze of these games with a narrow 37-31 victory over Estonia.

RNZ reports Viktoria Orsi Toth is understood to have failed a drugs test and been sent home from Rio de Janiero.

Toth and playing partner Marta Menegatti finished eighth in the FIVB World Tour rankings earlier this year to qualify automatically for Rio, with Vanuatu's Linline Matauatu and Miller Pata finishing just outside the top 15 cutoff.

The number of delegations in the Games Village is nearing 200 by Sunday afternoon here in Rio.

206 is the full complement of nations that make up the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

IOC boss Thomas Bach reiterated his confidence at a press conference of an excellent Rio Games following all the internal and external challenges faced by the Rio Organising Committee.

Bach is expected to tour the village and have lunch at the dining hall again today.

For the Pacific Islands, two more countries have arrived- Solomons and Federated State of Micronesia.

The basketballers arrive in Rio on Wednesday (NZ time) and will be whisked to their plush accommodation which features special beds to accommodate their tall bodies.

The men's squad is studded with multi-millionaire NBA stars like Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving.

Cabins on the Italian-owned Silver Cloud, which can carry 296 guests, usually cost around $18,000 a week.

The massive boat features a pool, gym, spa and even a cigar lounge.

Paul Coffa says despite the natural talent of the Pacific lifters, they will be facing athletes with more resources and also some who have used performance enhancing drugs in the past, which means their task will be extremely difficult.

There are 15 Oceania representatives competing in Rio and Coffa said they are all in brilliant shape.

Fiji men's sevens coach Ben Ryan delivers his verdict on what lies in store at Rio 2016.

Rio is at our door. Some teams are there and others are putting their final touches to their preparation before they enter the village. For us, that’s a joint men’s and women’s camp in Santiago before coming into the athlete’s accommodation the day before the opening ceremony. The men’s side will attend that and proudly be walking behind the nation’s flag bearer – our captain and most capped Fijian sevens player of all time – Osea Kolinisau.

A cheque for the amount was received by Judoka’s Joe Mahit at a handover ceremony at Melanesian Hotel this week.

Other officials who attended the ceremony were VASANOC SG, Mr Cyrille Mainguy, VASANOC CEO, Mr Henry Tavoa and Judoka Coach, Florence Daoleuang. 

Each athlete will be getting 100,000VT each from this total for their incidentals while in Rio. 

Kiwanis Club of Port Vila raised the funds in the Kiwanis Charity Race Ball held during Race Week 2015.

Athletes present were Yoshua Shing and Coach Ham Lulu, Joe Mahit and Coach Florence Daoleuang and Boe Warawara and Coach Uri Warawara. Rower Luigi Teleimb and Coach Matt Cameron were already in Rio with the Chef De Mission, Allan Kalfabun.

Also present at the ceremony yesterday was the VASANOC President, Antoine Boudier, VASANOC SG, Cyrille Mainguy, VASANOC CEO, Henry Tavoa, Chairlady of Athlete’s Commission, Anolyn Lulu, VASANOC/VAN2017 Member, Joe Bomal Carlo and Warawara’s Technical Trainer John Szigeti.  

Bedrooms in the Olympic Village aren’t outfitted with televisions, so how will athletes pass the time?

Paul Coffa said despite the natural talent of the Pacific lifters, they would will be up against some athletes who have been banned for drug cheating in the past, so they could only achieve so much.

"The Oceania region hasn't had anyone positive for years and years, whereas the rest of the world in our sport, produces positive (tests) year after year," he said.