With a great line-up of talent on the Daily’s sports desk, Jon Tuxworth reckons he only gets a call-up when one of the star players is away – as is the case with his sporting exploits. Known affectionately as ‘Splinters’ at high school, his offering from the humble position on the bench is always worth a read.

Coventry is Zimbabwe's angel

August 13 | Jon Tuxworth

Zimbabwe swimmer Kirsty Coventry is THE most important athlete at the Beijing Games.

For the embattled African country, Coventry’s heroics in the pool are just what it needs.

A pleasant distraction from president Robert Mugabe’s brutal dictatorship.

From the hardship. The poverty. The terror.

The 25-year-old has won dual silver so far in the 400IM (she’s that girl that finished behind Stephanie Rice) and yesterday in the 100m backstroke.

And, thanks to the International Olympic Committee, this is one of the few national treasures that Mugabe won’t be able to pillage.

The IOC has banned Mugabe from attending the Olympics.

A very wise move.

The Olympics are all about unity – imagine the hypocrisy if the most hated man in Africa, who stands for anything but, was able to celebrate with the nation’s darling?

I’m pretty sure Coventry wouldn’t want to shake his hand, either.

Sure, Coventry was able to escape Zimbabwe, and swam competitively for Auburn University in Alabama, but she’s the role model her countrymen crave.

Zimbabwe’s biggest sporting outfit, the national cricket team, hardly play anymore.

Which makes Coventry all the more important.

For strife-torn countries, sport is their outlet to feel some patriotism.

To escape. To feel good about themselves. Whether it be for a minute or two watching a swimming race, or a five-day cricket Test.

Here’s hoping the most famous African swimmer since that walking advertisement for floaties, Eric the Eel, keeps doing her country proud.

Fire up, football fans
The Sunshine Coast Fire dismantled QAS 7-0 in a curtain raiser to the Queensland-Wellington A-League pre-season match last month.

Hopefully some of those 3800 fans who turned up finally realised what they’ve been missing.

This is a call to arms for all the football fans to turn up to Stockland Park this weekend and cheer our boys on in the Queensland State League major semi-final.

But despite all their success, their home crowds have been a little disappointing, to say the least.

They face a rematch against the Strikers, the only team the Fire lost to in the regular season.

With a home grand final at stake, hopefully come 2.30pm this Sunday the stands will be packed.