Donna goes for gold

Donna Richie in action against Great Britain

By Lynda Jenkins in Sydney

An accident in the Sydney suburb of Manly left Donna Richie with a broken spine at the age of 23.

Now she is the captain of Australia's women's Paralympics basketball team, a national sporting hero and media personality.

Richie was vice-captain at both the Barcelona and Atlanta Paralympics but having since been promoted she will be hoping to taste success in front of her home crowd.

And there is plenty of reason to suggest that she might. The Australians are currently ranked third in the world and are strong contenders for the gold medal.

Certainly Richie, speaking before the competition got underway is excited about the Paralympics.

"Playing for gold in front of your home crowd is something extra special. For me to play in the Paralympics in Sydney is going to be the highlight of my basketball career," she said.

"It will be emotional and uplifting, especially being a member of the host team."

And she added: "All that pre-Games training for years, all the sweat, heartache and achievement, which are all part of being an elite athlete, with or without a disability, will be put to the test."