Remember also that the constant talking-up of our Olympic medal chances by the sports pundits has been unremittingly one-eyed. They haven't been busy checking out how the French women's soccer team is doing or how Spain's hockey team has been shaping up or even how the Czech rowers have been fairing.
If the Kiwi athletes are perfectly prepared, firing on all cylinders and full of optimism, isn't it just possible that athletes from the numerous other countries doing battle in Brazil are exactly the same?
To get to the Olympics is a magnificent achievement and, as someone once said: "It is the taking part ..."
Sport teaches us a lot of good lessons - focus, motivation, discipline, respect for rules, teamwork, the need to cinstantly strive to be better. But perhaps the most important lesson is that it, hopefully, teaches us how to face defeat with good grace and equanimity.
Anyway, by the time you read this New Zealand may well have chalked up a couple more medals. And, at least, no one can beat the All Blacks.
