BEFORE Jana Rawlinson goes for gold at the Beijing Olympics, local rising star, Ben Baker, will be giving the track at the Beijing Olympic Stadium a test run. Baker, along with 23 other NSW Institute of Sport future stars will be competing at a test event next week.

The NSW Institute of Sport has organised a tour of developing athletes from the Emerging Athlete Program (EAP), NSWIS Scholarship holders and NSW under-23 athletes.

Baker, from Johns River, will contest the javelin throw and will be looking to improve on his personal best of 73.28m. In a recent competition the Chinese had three athletes over 73m and a total of 15 over 70 metres, so Baker will receive plenty of competition from the locals who are striving for Olympic selection.

Although aged 25, Baker is still considered a few years from his peak as athletes in power events can continue to improve until at least 30.

The Olympic Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, is the show case venue of the Beijing Olympics and is the last venue to open. It will seat 91,000 and feature the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field events and the football finals. The test event will be held from May 22 to 25.