Brisbane’s selection as the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games will inspire a host of younger athletes dreaming of competing on home soil, says former Olympian John Bertrand. “What it means is a new generation of young people can start to aspire and dream about being involved in the Olympics here as a competitor,” he stated.
“I think the biggest thing is the inspiration that the Olympics will generate for young people to say, ‘Let’s give this thing a go’. These little kids, in 10 to 12 years’ time, will be ready to compete at the highest level if they wish, if that’s part of their dream.”
Jamie rides the wave of success
Outstanding jockey Jamie Kah is officially the toast of Australian racing after recently setting a Melbourne riding record. Ms Kah, 25, recently became the first jockey to ride 100 city winners in a Melbourne season of racing at Caulfield. Kah landed the milestone when Deep Speed held on over an 1100m race.
Kah told of her relief in breaking Brett Prebble’s 21-year-old record. “I was hearing the crowd and getting goosebumps over the line,” Kah said. “I’m not the one for crowds and people cheering my name, it’s very foreign to me still.”
Kah took Adelaide racing by storm before moving to Melbourne in early 2019 and landed her first Group One win a few months later when Harlem took out the Australian Cup. She has notched a further five Group One victories. At the close of the 2020-21 Australian racing calendar, Kah had an unassailable lead in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership and is already an odds-on favourite to take the title again next year.
Souths on their way
Rugby league reporter John Lanzky writes: “Souths can win this. The pathway to the finals is smooth. The main thing is we must stay injury free, then there’s no reason we can’t go all the way.
“My prediction is Souths to finish the regular season in second place. Penrith will drop down to third. The Panthers have too many injuries and suspensions for Covid breaches. Alex Johnston will be back for the finals. Souths will face Melbourne in the grand final – and the Storm will underestimate the Rabbitohs! Adam Reynolds will go out a winner!
“The win against St George-Illawarra (50-14) on August 1 showed Souths’ strengths – in bursts. I’m sure Wayne Bennett will have them fired up to perform for the full 80 minutes in coming weeks. We’re playing Parramatta next and that game will tell us where we are – glory, glory to South Sydney!”
