STEPH PINS HOPES FOR A GREAT GAMES

OLYMPIC gold medallist Stephanie Rice believes a new generation of golden girls is ready to step up at next week’s Commonwealth Games. The former champion swimmer, who helped launch the Gold Coast Bulletin’s 2018 Exclusive Borobi Pin Collection at Southpo

OLYMPIC gold medallist Stephanie Rice believes a new generation of golden girls is ready to step up at the Gold Coast Games.

Our swimmers are always among the most high-profile athletes going into major competitions, but have failed to live up to the hype at the last two Olympics.

They 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 yesterday to help launch The Bulletin’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 competition.

“There’s a lot of countries going well,” she said. “I think Canada is doing really well, England are doing amazing.”

However, Rice said Australia’s swimmers – in particular the women – 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.”

Rice said The Bulletin’s pins collection, which feature Games mascot Borobi getting into the swing of athletics, swimming, cycling and gymnastics, were a fantastic way for the community to get into the Games spirit.