Belgium men’s Olympic gold ended the tenure of coach Shane McLeod, who has guided the Red Lions to unprecedented heights over the last six years. His Dutch assistant Michael Van den Heuvel now takes over.

McLeod, who will return to New Zealand for a sabbatical with his family, led Belgium to European, world and Olympic titles after joining the men’s programme in 2015.

“I am very happy, it is a special and moving day,” he told Belgian media. “That I can end my coaching career with a European title, a world title and an Olympic title, such stories are not written. Nobody believes it.”