Kiwis cheer outstanding and outsized Paris performance

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The omission of New Zealand from the world map, which was a centerpiece of the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, might have seemed a particular snub to the nation of 5 million which finished 11th on the medal table with 10 golds and 20 medals overall.

It was explained the map represented the five inhabited continents and that Australia stood in for Oceania. That in itself might have irritated New Zealanders, for whom Australia is the most bitter of sporting rivals.

The Parisian omission had a particular sting because New Zealand had just produced its best-ever Olympic performance. Measured on gold medals alone, New Zealand finished ahead of Canada and Spain, nations many times its size.