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Joined February 2012
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A former Paralympic swimmer, passionate about sport. Follow me on Twitter: @aussiepollies
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On Thursday morning the second biggest, but most amazing sporting event will finally get underway. Despite the poor planning and mismanagement, the 2016 Paralympic…
Ever since glamour couple and reigning world champions Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm missed out on medals in their pet events, the Australian media…
Results: Women's 50m freestyle Gold - Pernille Blume - Denmark - 24.07s Silver - Simone Manuel - USA - 24.09s Bronze - Aliaksandra Herasimenia…
The second-last day of swimming at the Rio 2016 Olympics sees gold medal contender Belinda Hocking in the women's 200m backstroke final and the…
It promises to be another enthralling night at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, where Australia's new swimming speedster, Cameron McEvoy, takes to the pool in…
There has been much said over the last year about Australia's poor medal prospects at the 2012 London Olympic Games, especially when it comes…
Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh says the need for succession planning, particularly for the coming post-Ponting years, is upon us. Today marks my…
I was in a similar position to Tiffany Thomas Kane, being bullied in primary school and early high school about my disability. Then suddenly, I started beating my schoolmates (at swimming) and began representing my state and country at competitions. Surprise, surprise, the bullying then began to disappear. Bullies are sad and fickle creatures.
Tiffany showed everyone what a star she is and will continue to be.
Rio gold takes away pain: Bullying victim
The Cowboys certainly have the belief to go all the way, and a captain in the right position to direct play and call the shots. Their endurance will be the key to them being there on grand final day. If they are there, I too think they can win it.
It's the Cowboys' trophy to lose from here
I have long said to friends that I would go to the Singapore Grand Prix first, before Monaco.
I love the history of Monaco and the setting, including the circuit – that hairpin is incredible. The race itself, however, tends to be a procession. I know a number of the races on the calendar have that feel and reality, but Monaco tops the list in that regard. You just have to look at how much pole position actually matters at Monaco for the end result.
I think it is almost purely the fact that the Singapore GP takes place at night that it is the drawcard for me – but the food would be a lovely bonus for me also. Plus it is a lot cheaper to stay overlooking the track than it is in Monaco.
And you are right in terms of what is required physically to conquer the Singaporean F1 race.
Is Singapore better than Monaco?
The doubles in particular was the sporting moment of the year for me. The fight shown by both the guys in that was incredible. The magnanimity which was not reciprocated by the Americans showed the class of Alcott and Davidson – and also the way Alcott embraced the crushed Lapthorne.
Dylan Alcott: Rare Australian record of gold in two sports
Thanks for telling a bit of the backstory of Brad Ness. And for mentioning previous flag bearers. The more that is known about the Paralympics and our Paralympians, the more their efforts can be understood and appreciated.
Meet Brad Ness, Australia's flag bearer for the 2016 Rio Paralympics
Thanks for the detailed explanation of the two sports and the athletes. These should be intriguing to watch.
Paracanoe and paratriathlon debut at Rio Paralympics
Absolutely right. My first international competition at the FESPIC Games in 1999 was an absolutely unforgettable experience in that regard. Seeing all the landmine victims competing was a very moving thing.
Five sports to watch at the Rio Paralympics
Gotta love the Match Review Committee deciding a proper send-off for Ennis trumps sticking to the rules of the game.
Jack Wighton's suspension confirms Match Review Committee's complete incompetence
Agree it should be another comfortable top 5 performance. This is despite Matthew Cowdrey being in the commentary box this time around and our 2012 Paralympic champions in the wheelchair rugby facing stiffer competition.
Aussies aiming for top five at Paralympics
The sit down volleyball is such an eye opening sport. I also marvel at the strength required to propel the ball over the net from a sitting position, without the leg power. Similar with the wheelchair basketball.
Rio Paralympics are a showcase of developments in medicine
Those soldiers could be competing for a while to come – potentially 2, 3 or 4 Paralympic Games or more depending on the sport. Maybe even more. What we could potentially see is something I experienced at the FESPIC Games in 1999, and that is a whole new era of athletes who are civilians that have been injured by unexploded munitions.
Rio Paralympics are a showcase of developments in medicine
Good article about how Paralympic sport is not just about participating, but rehabilitation also. Could also mention the post World War II precursor to the Paralympics, the Stoke Mandeville Games for those service people injured in the war.
Rio Paralympics are a showcase of developments in medicine
The two I didn’t want there (Genia and Cooper) have had the most visible impact for the Wallabies in the first half
All Blacks vs Wallabies highlights: All Blacks claim 14th consecutive Bledisloe Cup
The first few minutes we played alright. I can’t see us crossing the line anytime soon
All Blacks vs Wallabies highlights: All Blacks claim 14th consecutive Bledisloe Cup
Our defense was way too bunched up on the side Dagg scored. So bunched up as to be non-existent.
All Blacks vs Wallabies highlights: All Blacks claim 14th consecutive Bledisloe Cup
It’s pretty disappointing for an ex player to be saying that the Wallabies should explicitly state that they probably will not win on Saturday night. It may well be true, given the long losing streak we have in New Zealand and last week’s pathetic display of rugby. But that’s for the pundits to fight over. One of the things champion athletes need is the ability to believe they can achieve something. That belief may have taken a hammering last week, but nonetheless, the Wallabies need to keep believing and never, ever write themselves off, in full or in part.
Rathbone takes a swing at the 'delusional' Wallabies
I’m simply commenting on an addition to the run-on team not being the best choice.
Wallabies team for Bledisloe 2: Quade Cooper to start at flyhalf, Foley inside centre
I realised too late. Bugger. Also left out a comment about not chopping and changing and playing players out of position due to injury. As for the Quade-less side comment, it was a whole team effort to be poor last week and any possible improvement would’ve been marginal.
Wallabies team for Bledisloe 2: Quade Cooper to start at flyhalf, Foley inside centre
Realised too late. Bugger. Also left out a comment about not chopping and changing and playing players out of position due to injury. As for the Quade-less side comment, it was a whole team effort to be poor last week and any possible improvement would’ve been marginal.
Wallabies team for Bledisloe 2: Quade Cooper to start at flyhalf, Foley inside centre
Really impressed with Mack Horton as a swimmer and a person. A team captain in waiting. He is level-headed, intelligent and a likeable bloke.
Culture no issue for Aussie swim team: Horton
Absolutely nailed it on three fronts:
The best coaches do indeed let the player’s play.
There’s no doubt he has instilled a great culture at the club. Pretty easy to do that when you are the Raiders personified.
Coaches week in, week out are given way too much attention for wins and losses. It’s like people think they are out there micro-managing every single player on the field for the full 80 minutes.
Ricky Stuart can't coach? How wrong can a hater be?
After a strong World Cup campaign there should only be chopping and changing when it comes to moving players around due to injury or retirement. Cooper is an X factor type player but his Bledisloe runs have been far from his best. Having Genia in a key position after being a key part of a poor Reds outfit seems strange. His best rugby is behind him.
Wallabies team for Bledisloe 2: Quade Cooper to start at flyhalf, Foley inside centre
Rooney will stay on the wishlist as he would be too expensive to nab, compared with others. More and more ageing stars will come to Australia in the wake of the Del Piero and more recently Cahill, signings. But as they are stars coming to the end of their careers, they will continue to be a ‘sugar hit’ for the A League.
Put Wayne Rooney at the top of the A-League marquee wishlist
Superior Cowboys’ halves combination should cause trouble for a slightly depleted Bulldogs pack. Dismal away record and poor late run for Cowboys to see a slight statistical improvement. Cows by 6.
NRL Thursday Night Forecast: Bulldogs vs Cowboys
Apart from funding, we also need to consider our results in the context of generational change. Since 2000, we’ve lost extraordinary competitors like Brendan Burkett, Siobhan Paton, Matthew Cowdrey, Louise Sauvage. Athletes like that don’t come around often. But you are right, the talent search programme is in a decent position to be able to identify future champions. As coverage of the Paralympics improves, that will widen the potential talent pool too.
That's a wrap: Australia at the Rio Paralympics