Rio 2016: Women in Gold

In the current issue of Inside Sport magazine the medal hopes of a nation can be trusted with the female athletes who will be donning the green and gold in Rio.

Stars in rugby sevens, football, rowing, the triathlon as well as track and field are hoping to use all the years of hard work and determination to present enough of a challenge to not only compete for a medal, but bring home the gold.

For these athletes, winning medals isn't just the main objective of these Games. Australian women's sevens co-captain Shannon Perry explains that it's also about leaving a footprint for young girls to aspire to in the future.

The Pearls. (Getty Images)

"We're about leaving a legacy and trying to be role models to these girls who are coming through from the grassroots." As true as that is, the Pearls head to Rio as favourites after winning three of the five tournaments in this year's seven's circuit and are aiming for nothing less than gold.

The Matildas have had an enormous past 12 months. A World Cup campaign that swept the nation and dominant Olympic qualification performances have been the catalyst to the growth of not just women's football but sport as a whole.

Lisa De Vanna. (Photo by Getty Images)

With a young side, co-led by the experience of Lisa De Vanna, the Matildas have put the world on notice as their aspire to come home with a medal. "If we play the way we can play and do it with confidence and belief, I think we can get results against any team in the world... and BE the top team in the world."

When Sally Pearson won gold in London, she became the first female to win an athletics track title since Cathy Freeman in Sydney, 2000. Unfortunately for the golden girl a torn hamstring in June of this year was the final nail in the coffin of her battle with injuries which ruled her out of the games.

Brooke Strattan. (Photo by Getty Images)

Yet one major medal hope maybe away from the track and in the sandpit as Brooke Stratton readies herself for Rio. The 22 year-old broke the 14 year Australian long jump record previously held by Bronwyn Thompson and could potentially challenge for a medal in her first games.

Emma Moffatt and Erin Densham will become the first Australian triathletes to compete at three Olympic Games and for young debutant Ashleigh Gentle, she couldn't have asked for better squad-mates.

Emma Moffatt. (Photo by Getty Images)

All three will be eager to emulate Emma Snowsill's gold in 2008 as Inside Sports discusses their route to Rio, which includes Densham's horrific year following her bronze medal in London and Moffatt's hopes for redemption after sliding out of the race because of wet conditions in London.

Reigning single skull world champion and AOC Athletes Commission chair Kim Brennan discusses to Inside Sport about the challenge of competing for Gold in water that consists of 'super bacteria'.

Kim Brennan. (Photo by Getty Images)

"I’ll borrow an Australian government slogan – we’re alert, but not alarmed! We had our junior rowers at a test event there last year and they were gurgling Listerine after races, they had their drink bottles in zip-locked bags and were very careful with using toilet facilities and that sort-of thing. There are a whole lot of precautions we’ll take. But I also think it’s important not to get too anxious and too concerned about these things."

For the full story, check out our bumper August 2016 issue. ON SALE NOW!