Stephanie Rice wins first gold medal

Stephanie Rice

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.

Talented and spirited

Update (December 2011): Stephanie Rice is currently my favorite Australian sportswoman. She holds the world record in the 400m women’s individual medley, and won three gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

She’s successful, glamorous, engaging, spirited and full of character.