New Zealand rower Hamish Bond retires after winning gold at three Olympics

Athlete says his drive waned in recent years but his wife encouraged him to keep going towards Tokyo Games and finish career the right way'

Rower Hamish Bond has announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on a glittering career during which he became the first New Zealand man to win gold at three consecutive Olympics.

Bond, 35, who is also an eight-time world champion, said he had known for a while that it was the right time to hang up his oars.