Michael Gorey

Stephanie Rice won Australia’s first gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the 400 metre individual medley.

She defeated Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry. I’m delighted for Stephanie, but admit that I have a soft spot for Kirsty.

She has achieved so much against the odds. Kirsty was Zimbabwe’s first individual Olympic gold medal winner. I think their women’s hockey team won gold at Moscow when nobody else turned up.

Kirsty was born after that, in 1983. She’s a good chance in the 200 metre backstroke event.

Meanwhile, it’s good that Australia has made it onto the tally board. I can remember back to Montreal when we didn’t win a single gold.

These articles might be of interest:

• The Olympics
• Australian Olympic trivia
• Zimbabwe tour cancelled