OLYMPIC gold medallist Stephanie Rice believes a new generation of golden girls is ready to step up at the Commonwealth Games.
Our swimmers are always among the most high-profile athletes going in to major competitions, but have failed to live up to the hype at the last two Olympics and face a tough challenge from England and Canada to top the medal count at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre next week.
Rice, who was on the Gold Coast on Wednesday to help launch The Courier-Mail’s Gold Coast 2018 Exclusive Borobi Pin Collection, said it was hard to predict if Australia would come out on top in the pool, given the rising level of our major rivals.
“There’s a lot of countries going well, I think Canada is doing really well, England are doing amazing,” she said.
“There’s obviously expectations from the media and then there’s your own expectations of yourself.
“Competing in front of a home crowd, you’re probably putting more expectations on yourself because you want to perform well.”
However, she said Australia’s swimmers – in particular the girls, were ready to shine.
“I think our girls are in a great position to step up on a global scale,” said Rice.
“There’s so many great girls coming through and there’s a lot of depth.
“I believe the women are doing more strongly than the men.”
She said The Courier-Mail’s pins collection, which feature Games mascot Borobi getting in to the swing of athletics, swimming, cycling and gymnastics, were a fantastic way for the community to get in to the Games spirit.
“It’s a great way to get behind the athletes,” she said.
“Kids can get right in to it, wear them on their backpack and really show some pride.”
Kids from Somerset College at Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast, members of the Optus Junior Dolphins, a program that encourages young kids to swim, also got in to the spirit with an early glimpse of the pins, which will be available for $ 2 each with a special token from April 4.
Get into the Commonwealth Games spirit with the limited edition Gold Coast 2018 Official Borobi Pin Collection, available via tokens inside The Courier-Mail from Wednesday, April 4. Pin your hopes on the Aussie team and collect all five! Find your stockist at borobipincollection.com.au
