Why Lydia Ko should be favoured to win supreme Halberg award

I'm happy to put my hand up and confess that at this time last week, I was a doubter and a Prophet of Doom – fearing that these Olympics were going to be a medal-producing disappointment.

How wrong was I? How wrong were a lot of us?

The New Zealand team produced a sensational week, that turned into an even more sensational weekend. It was almost faultless.

I have no idea about the game face of the fabulous Ellesse Andrews because it's largely covered by that space age type headgear that’s worn when she is flying at the velodrome.

But I do see a similarity with Hamish Kerr, Lydia Ko, and Lisa Carrington – very cool, very calm, very collected and very, very controlled.

No great histrionics, reserved joy and total respect for others. Contrast that with US basketballer Steph Curry.

Gifted? Yes. Three-pointers from the end of the Earth? Yes! But his respect for others and respect for the game is sadly lacking.

And I'll put it out there – Lydia Ko gets the supreme Halberg gong ahead of Lisa Carrington.

It's hard to split, I know, and it's probably won't happen, but to win gold to complete the Olympic medal set and qualifying for LPGA Hall of Fame induction all by the age of 27. That’s special.

Look, comparing kayak sprinting with golf is a sport is harder than apples and oranges. But on a world participation level, there is no comparison.

When Lydia announced herself to the sporting world, she was the same age as those youngsters, boys and girls setting out to emulate her now. And there are likely tens of thousands more trying to do just that.

Lisa is phenomenal and she won three more golds at Paris 2024, Lydia has just the one - but it's a big enough one for me. How about you?

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