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Disgraced Olympian sentenced over failed drug plot

<p>An Olympic silver medallist and his younger brother, who tried to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of cocaine worth about $200 million into Australia, have been sentenced a second time. </p> <p>Nathan Baggaley, 48, a former champion kayaker and his brother Dru Baggaley, 42, faced Brisbane supreme court on Monday after pleading guilty to attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs.</p> <p>Dru and another man were intercepted by the navy in July 2017, after he was found using a seven-metre inflatable boat to pick up 650 kilograms of cocaine from a ship near Australia's east coast. </p> <p>The inflatable boat, which was launched from Brunswick Heads on the NSW north coast, had been bought by Nathan and was registered in his name. </p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The brothers were previously found guilty of </span>attempting to import cocaine by a Brisbane Supreme Court jury in April 2021. </p> <p>Nathan was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment and his brother 28 years, but they later won appeals against their convictions and were ordered to face the retrial that was supposed to start on October 28, but instead pleaded guilty to the same charge.</p> <p>On Monday, Justice Declan Kelly sentenced Nathan to 13 years in jail and his brother 15 years. </p> <p>With time already served, they are now eligible for parole. </p> <p>During their sentencing hearing, Justice Kelly said there was insufficient evidence to prove Dru knew he was importing cocaine, after the court was told he thought he was collecting tobacco. </p> <p>“Dru was reckless that there was a substantial quantity of a border-controlled drug but there is insufficient evidence that he knew the precise quantity,” Justice Kelly said.</p> <p>He said that Nathan didn't initially know that it was an attempt to import a border-controlled drug until July 30 2018. </p> <p>"From that point in time he was aware of the attempt to import a substantial quantity of a border-controlled drug but was reckless as to the identity of that drug," Justice Kelly said.</p> <p>“It cannot be shown that Nathan knew the drug was cocaine or the precise amount of the drug.”</p> <p>Kelly accepted a defence barrister's submission the facts were profoundly different” compared to their 2021 sentencing, but said that regardless, the importation size was a "“very relevant factor” in his sentencing.</p> <p><em>Image: Erik S Lesser/EPA/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Legal

Aussie Olympian welcomes baby boy

<p>Australian Olympic snowboarder Scotty James and his partner, singer Chloe Stroll, have welcomed their first child together.</p> <p>The couple shared a simple but powerful snap of the newborn, introducing their son to their fans online. </p> <p>"Leo Harry James," the caption simply reads, confirming their son's name.</p> <p>Thousands were quick to react to the couple's happy news, with plenty of friends, family and fans sharing their well wishes.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA7oGnnCYge/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA7oGnnCYge/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Scotty James (@scottyjames31)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Congratulations you two," wrote James' fellow Olympic snowboarder Mark McMorris.</p> <p>Australian model and businesswoman Elle Macpherson even shared her excitement by commenting three red heart emojis.</p> <p>The couple announced they were expecting their first baby back in June, sharing a photo of Chloe's growing baby bump, and in August shared a video of their gender reveal celebrations, confirming they were welcoming a baby boy. </p> <p>James recently opened up on the excitement of becoming a father, telling <a href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/chloe-stroll-scotty-james-baby-snowboarder-f1-heiress-singer-welcome-son-leo/764a30f7-575e-4202-9744-f4197cac29a0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9honey Celebrity</a> that while it would be a little daunting becoming a first-time parent, he was more than ready.</p> <p>"I am very excited. I hope I'm going to be a fun dad," James, who is a four-time Olympian, said.</p> <p>He later added that "[parenting is] unknown and not something I'm familiar with, it's going to be a new challenge to embrace, I'm looking forward to it and it's going to be fun."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

Olympian's life "a living nightmare" after simple self-check out mistake

<p>A former Olympian has spoken about how her life was ruined after she accidentally failed to scan to items at a self-checkout machine in Walmart. </p> <p>Canadian athlete Meaggan Pettipiece, 48, was arrested on March 28 in Indiana for theft, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.</p> <p>The charges have since been dropped, but Pettipiece lost her prestigious job as the head coach of the Valparaiso University softball team as a result and says her career and reputation have been ruined. </p> <p>The ordeal began when the self-checkout machine at Walmart reportedly failed to scan the asparagus and ham that Pettipiece intended to purchase. </p> <p>Walmart security saw that she failed to scan the items — worth a total of $67 — prompting them to call the police despite her having paid $167 for her other groceries.</p> <p>Pettipiece was arrested and when police searched her they found three disposable vapes in her purse, along with two unopened blister packs containing anti-nausea medication Zofran.</p> <p>The former athlete said the vapes did not contain any nicotine or THC, and the anti-nausea pills belonged to an assistant coach who had asked her to keep them in her purse during a softball game, days before her arrest. </p> <p>“We both forgot about them,” Pettipiece told the<em> National Post.</em></p> <p>The outlet reported that earlier this month, her lawyer submitted an application for dismissal that included her account of the incident, proof of her assistant’s prescription, and character reference letters.</p> <p>After reading the application, her charges were dropped by justice officials on September 19, but the damage caused by the incident "changed everything". </p> <p>“It is bittersweet,” she told <em>National Post</em>.</p> <p>“I’m happy, obviously, the charges were dismissed. The sad part is the damage it did to my career. It has changed everything in my life.”</p> <p>Pettipiece resigned as head coach of the softball team shortly after the Walmart incident. </p> <p>"It's been five months, a living nightmare. I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building and it's been really difficult."</p> <p>Along with the damage to her career, Pettipiece said the effect on her reputation has been equally heartbreaking. </p> <p>“The softball community is a tight-knit group and it (the news) went through like wildfire,” she said. </p> <p>“You really do learn who the people are that really believe in you and trust you and are truly a friend for you." </p> <p>The former athlete is now living in Ohio with her family, and though the charges against her have been dismissed she is worried the damage "can't be reversed". </p> <p>“The tough thing is, how do you get out to people that you are innocent? And this damage was done for something so ridiculous,” Pettipiece told the outlet.</p> <p>“I’m not sure of the future. For now, I’m going to stay at home and focus on my kids. I’d like to figure out which direction I’m going to go in.”</p> <p><em>Image: Valparaiso University Athletics/ </em><em>ZikG / Shutterstock.com</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

Gordon Ramsay's daughter announces engagement to Olympian

<p>Gordon Ramsay's daughter, Holly, has announced her engagement to British Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty. </p> <p>The 24-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday to announce the happy news, showing off her sparkly ring with a photo of the pair on holiday. </p> <p>"I am marrying my best friend," the fashion designer said.</p> <p>"I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now. I still remember how big my smile was the morning I got home from my first date with you.</p> <p>"Thank you for letting the little girl inside of me feel loved, seen and happier than ever. I love you & I cannot wait to be your wife."</p> <p>She also mentioned how excited she was to be a step-mum to Peaty's son George from his previous relationship with Welsh artist Eirianedd Munro. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_z0LCrIlmx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_z0LCrIlmx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HollyAnna Ramsay (@hollyramsayy)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I promise to always be there with you and George, I'm so greatful (sic) to be in his life and I cannot wait for more," she wrote.</p> <p>"Everything is better with you. Everything has been better since you. Here's to forever. "</p> <p>Peaty also paid tribute to his bride-to-be with a separate Instagram post announcing their engagement. </p> <p>"Seeing you show the love you give to the most important person in my life, George, even from day one, there was never a question about you becoming my wife one day," he said.</p> <p>"I'm looking forward to our life together and the many challenges we'll face."</p> <p>He also gave a shoutout to Gordon and his wife Tana for welcoming him into their family with such generosity. </p> <p>Holly is the celebrity chef's second daughter out of his six kids, and has a twin brother, Jack. </p> <p>The proud dad shared his congratulations online with a sweet image of him and his daughter. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_0AeaQxI0e/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_0AeaQxI0e/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Gordon Ramsay (@gordongram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Congratulations to this gorgeous girl @hollyramsayy….so happy for you and @adam_peaty," he said.</p> <p>"Hols, watching you become the woman you are today with your kindness and your love is absolutely infectious…Adam is a very lucky man! Welcome to the family."</p> <p>He ended his caption in true Gordon Ramsay style with: "One down, two to go," alongside a laughing emoji. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Olympian killed at just 33 years of age

<p>Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, has tragically passed away at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, where she had been receiving treatment for severe burns sustained in an attack by her former boyfriend.</p> <p>A hospital spokesperson, Owen Menach, confirmed that Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries after suffering multiple organ failures.</p> <p>Cheptegei, who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics just weeks ago, sustained burns to 80% of her body after her ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly doused her in petrol and set her on fire during a domestic dispute.</p> <p>Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom revealed that Ndiema also suffered burns in the incident to 30% of his body, and that he remains in intensive care but is in a stable condition.</p> <p>Cheptegei's parents stated that she had recently bought land in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia County to be near athletic training centres in the region. A report from the local chief indicated that Cheptegei and her former boyfriend were involved in a heated argument over the property before the attack occurred.</p> <p>The Uganda Athletics Federation and the Uganda Olympic Committee have expressed their grief over the loss of Cheptegei. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Athletics Federation wrote, "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence." They further condemned the attack, calling for justice.</p> <p>Uganda Olympic Committee president Donald Rukare added, “May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”</p> <p><em>Image: Narnabi / Wikimedia Commons</em></p>

Caring

Five-time Olympian found dead at just 50

<p>Five-time Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos has been found dead in a Las Vegas apartment at the age of 50. </p> <p>Chirinos, who represented Venezuela at five Olympic Games, was found after employees raised the alarm when she failed to show up for work. </p> <p>While an official cause of death is yet to be released, Venezuelan media have speculated that she died of asphyxiation on August 11th after a preliminary autopsy found solid food remains in her trachea.</p> <p>Larreal was the only Venezuelan athlete to ever compete in five Olympics, representing her country at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and London 2012.</p> <p>Throughout her stellar cycling career, she won several gold medals at local and international events, and earned four Olympic diplomas, given to the top eight finalists in Olympic events. </p> <p>Chairman of the Venezuelan Cycling Federation Eliezer Rojas paid tribute to Larreal, saying she was “not only a champion in cycling but a symbol of perseverance, dedication and passion”.</p> <p>“With a career full of success, she inspired generations of cyclists and left a mark on every competition she participated in. Her legacy will endure in the history of Venezuelan cycling and her memory will live on in every pedal strike we take in her honour.”</p> <p>“Her unexpected departure leaves an irreparable void in the hearts of all of us who had the honour of knowing her and following her career.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Martin Alipaz/EPA/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

Sweet reason why Olympian ditched Closing Ceremony

<p>Aussie medallist Matthew Denny has explained the sweet reason why he missed the Paris 2024 closing ceremony after winning a bronze medal in the men's discus throw event. </p> <p>The athlete spoke with T<em>oday Extra</em> and explained the romantic reason why he missed the special event.</p> <p>"I feel bad, but I didn't end up going to the Closing; I decided [my wife] Mia was going to be by herself, and I need to give back some time to her because ... it's been a pretty brutal 12 months for her," he said.</p> <p>"So I thought it was really important that we had a nice dinner, and we obviously watched the Closing Ceremony, but I just wanted to give her some time." </p> <p>After flying back from Paris to Australia, the athlete said that he had a training session to attend so that he can "finish the year off strong." </p> <p>Denny won third place in the men's discuss throw event, throwing for 69.31 metres on his second attempt of the final. </p> <p>"I'm just thankful that people always back me. To those who didn't think I was going to do it... eat it!" he said to <em>Wide World of Sports </em>following his win. </p> <p>"It's something I'm so proud of, what I do, I get to live an amazing life. I have a great family and support team.</p> <p>"Before I went into this competition, I watched back the Qantas ad we did. I just want to see those people again before I went in here.</p> <p>"I know that's who I'm doing it for. So... yeah, thank you to you guys for supporting me."</p> <p>Despite his win, the athlete is aiming for gold as he hopes to compete again in the Brisbane Olympics. </p> <p>"I can't not be proud of my performance, but the inner critic wants more, and I know there's more there," he said.</p> <p>"To get a medal is amazing but the critic is still there in me. We'll go again. My goal is to get to Brisbane in 2032."</p> <p><em>Image: Xinhua News Agency/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

International Travel

"Just magical": Aussie Olympians return home in triumph

<p>Australia’s Olympians returned home to a heroes' welcome after the most successful Olympic campaign in the nation’s history.</p> <p>Touching down early Wednesday morning, the athletes were greeted with cheers and applause, marking the end of an extraordinary journey from Paris.</p> <p>The first group of Olympians, including gold medal stars pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and boxer Charlie Senior, landed in Perth to an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends and fans. Kennedy, who secured her gold medal in Paris, expressed her joy, stating, "There is one thing on my list of things I always wanted to do was become Olympic champion...No one can take it away from me." Senior, who won bronze, was equally thrilled, saying, “Coming home is the best feeling out of it all."</p> <p>The celebrations continued on the east coast as another plane full of Australian athletes, adorned with "Go Australia" written in green and gold, arrived in Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally welcomed the team, and popstar Jessica Mauboy, along with The Qantas choir, performed to honour the athletes.</p> <p>Among the first to disembark were dual gold medal canoeist Jessica Fox and swimmer Kaylee McKeown, who made history by becoming the first Australian to win four individual Olympic gold medals. Emotional reunions followed, with McKeown embraced by her family and <em>Today</em> host Sarah Abo, and swimmer Ariarne Titmus shedding tears as she reunited with her parents.</p> <p>Titmus, who played a key role in Australia’s success, shared her excitement for the future, saying, "I think the country just revels in the Olympic experience...I'll enjoy that. Forget about something for a while and just spend some time with my friends and family."</p> <p>The athletes, including young talents like 14-year-old skateboarder Arisa Trew and BMX gold medalist Saya Sakakibara, were praised for their incredible performances. Retired Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney spoke at length on the significance of their achievements, calling the homecoming "monumental" and "magical".</p> <p>"It was just magical. Paris was magical," she said. "Our athletes were incredible. But really I need to tell you, this is enormous because I came home on the charter flight in 2004 after the Athens Olympics, and back then there wasn't social media or anything like that. You didn't understand the enormity of what you had done or what it meant to be an Aussie at that point, until you landed on this charter flight. So for these athletes, this is just going to blow their minds.</p> <p>"Seeing their family, their friends, everyone that's here to support them after what they've done, it's just going to be magical. It was monumental."</p> <p>Australia's medal tally from the Paris Games was nothing short of historic, with 18 golds, 19 silvers and 16 bronzes, making it the country’s most successful Olympics ever. The 18 gold medals surpassed the previous record of 17 from both the 2004 Athens Games and the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. The total of 53 medals also set a record for an away Games, second only to the 58 medals won at the Sydney 2000 Games.</p> <p>Australia’s success spanned across 14 sports, with five athletes defending their Olympic crowns, including sailor Matt Wearn, paddler Jessica Fox, skateboarder Keegan Palmer and swimmers Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus.</p> <p>As the nation celebrates these incredible achievements, the athletes look forward to a well-deserved break, surrounded by the love and support of their families and fellow Australians. Their remarkable performances in Paris have not only made history but also inspired a new generation of sporting men and women across the country.</p> <p>Images: <em>Today</em></p>

International Travel

Knitting helps Tom Daley switch off. Its mental health benefits are not just for Olympians

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-oshea-457947">Michelle O'Shea</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gabrielle-weidemann-91497">Gabrielle Weidemann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a></em></p> <p>Olympian Tom Daley is the <a href="https://www.teamgb.com/athlete/tom-daley/3y6lj3NwM4u2dORkh8DkXo#:%7E:text=Tom%20Daley's%20medals&text=Tom%20Daley%20was%20the%20first,Paris%20with%20a%20first%20silver.">most decorated diver</a> in Britain’s history. He is also an avid knitter. At the Paris 2024 Olympics Daley added a fifth medal to his collection – and caught the world’s attention knitting a bright blue “Paris 24” jumper while travelling to the games and in the stands.</p> <p>At the Tokyo Olympics, where Daley was first <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/27/tom-daley-knits-a-tea-cosy-holder-to-keep-his-gold-medal-safe-from-scratches">spotted knitting</a>, he <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/07/29/nx-s1-5055677/tom-daley-olympics-2024-diving-knitting">explained</a> its positive impact on his mental health.</p> <blockquote> <p>It just turned into my mindfulness, my meditation, my calm and my way to escape the stresses of everyday life and, in particular, going to an Olympics.</p> </blockquote> <p>The <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01612840.2024.2364228">mental health benefits of knitting</a> are well established. So why is someone famous like Daley knitting in public still so surprising?</p> <h2>Knitting is gendered</h2> <p>Knitting is usually associated with women – <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02614367.2019.1579852">especially older women</a> – as a hobby done at home. In a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.4276/030802213X13603244419077?casa_token=Y-MLTtrt_o4AAAAA:7c1Y6DSAd0XH19q0N-FBqqws68JFpgXYx5DACMMw24D3AuoqLkh0VVKMh7M6GNchmQpWSj1KR9tzCFw">large international survey</a> of knitting, 99% of respondents identified as female.</p> <p>But the history of yarn crafts and gender is more tangled. In Europe in the middle ages, <a href="https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/articles/nb82_knt.pdf">knitting guilds were exclusive</a> and reserved for men. They were part of a respected Europe-wide trade addressing a demand for knitted products that could not be satisfied by domestic workers alone.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/articles/nb82_knt.pdf">industrial revolution</a> made the production of clothed goods cheaper and faster than hand-knitting. Knitting and other needle crafts became a leisure activity for women, done in the private sphere of the home.</p> <p>World Wars I and II turned the spotlight back on knitting as a “<a href="https://theconversation.com/one-million-pairs-of-socks-knitting-for-victory-in-the-first-world-war-30149">patriotic duty</a>”, but it was still largely taken up by women.</p> <p>During COVID lockdowns, knitting saw another <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/02/well/family/pandemic-knitting-election-stress.html">resurgence</a>. But knitting still most often makes headlines when men – especially famous men like Daley or actor <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/01/ryan-gosling-hobby-knitting-interview">Ryan Gosling</a> – do it.</p> <p>Men who knit are often seen as <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-17/men-who-unpick-knitting-stereoptype/11516016">subverting</a> the stereotype it’s an activity for older women.</p> <h2>Knitting the stress away</h2> <p>Knitting can produce a sense of pride and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01612840.2024.2364228">accomplishment</a>. But for an elite sportsperson like Daley – whose accomplishments already include four gold medals and one silver – its benefits lie elsewhere.</p> <p>Olympics-level sport relies on perfect scores and world records. When it comes to knitting, many of the mental health benefits are associated with the process, rather than the end result.</p> <p>Daley <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wwXGOki--c">says</a> knitting is the “one thing” that allows him to switch off completely, describing it as “my therapy”.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6wwXGOki--c?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The Olympian says he could</p> <blockquote> <p>knit for hours on end, honestly. There’s something that’s so satisfying to me about just having that rhythm and that little “click-clack” of the knitting needles. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t knit.</p> </blockquote> <p>Knitting can create a “flow” state through rhythmic, repetitive movements of the yarn and needle. Flow offers us a <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-32525-014">balance</a> between challenge, accessibility and a sense of control.</p> <p>It’s been shown to have benefits relieving stress in high-pressure jobs beyond elite sport. Among surgeons, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37150722/">knitting has been found</a> to improve wellbeing as well as manual dexterity, crucial to their role.</p> <p>For other health professionals – including oncology nurses and mental health workers – knitting has <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01612840.2024.2364228">helped to</a> reduce “<a href="https://cjon.ons.org/cjon/20/1/impact-knitting-intervention-compassion-fatigue-oncology-nurses">compassion fatigue</a>” and burnout. Participants described the soothing noise of their knitting needles. They developed and strengthened team bonds through collective knitting practices.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dTTJjD_q2Ik?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">A Swiss psychiatrist says for those with trauma, knitting yarn can be like “knitting the two halves” of the brain “back together”.</span></figcaption></figure> <p><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1062001/full">Another study</a> showed knitting in primary school may boost children’s executive function. That includes the ability to pay attention, remember relevant details and block out distractions.</p> <p>As a regular creative practice, it has also been <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01612840.2024.2364228#d1e1860">used in the treatment</a> of grief, depression and subduing intrusive thoughts, as well countering chronic pain and cognitive decline.</p> <h2>Knitting is a community</h2> <p>The <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.4276/030802213X13603244419077">evidence</a> for the benefits of knitting is often based on self-reporting. These studies tend to produce consistent results and involve large population samples.</p> <p>This may point to another benefit of knitting: its social aspect.</p> <p>Knitting and other yarn crafts can be done alone, and usually require simple materials. But they also provide a chance to socialise by bringing people together around a common interest, which can help <a href="https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/crre.7.1.11_1">reduce loneliness</a>.</p> <p>The free needle craft database and social network Ravelry contains <a href="https://blog.ravelry.com/2022-community-stats/">more than one million</a> patterns, contributed by users. “Yarn bombing” projects aim to <a href="https://www.artsnw.com.au/the-yarn-bombing-project">engage the community</a> and beautify public places by covering objects such as benches and stop signs with wool.</p> <p>The interest in Daley’s knitting online videos have formed a community of their own.</p> <p>In them he shows the process of making the jumper, not just the finished product. That includes where he “<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tomdaley/reel/C-LRgGYtbv3/?hl=en">went wrong</a>” and had to unwind his work.</p> <p>His pride in the finished product – a little bit wonky, but “<a href="https://www.instagram.com/madewithlovebytomdaley/?hl=en">made with love</a>” – can be a refreshing antidote to the flawless achievements often on display at the Olympics.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236051/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-oshea-457947"><em>Michelle O'Shea</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gabrielle-weidemann-91497">Gabrielle Weidemann</a>, Associate Professor in Psychological Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/knitting-helps-tom-daley-switch-off-its-mental-health-benefits-are-not-just-for-olympians-236051">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

Aussie Olympian arrested in Paris after trying to buy drugs

<p>An Aussie Olympian has been arrested after he was caught on the streets of Paris trying to buy a gram of cocaine. </p> <p>Hockey superstar Tom Craig tried to outrun police when he was caught, before realising he couldn't evade the authorities and surrendered. </p> <p>He and teammates had been at a family and friends celebration at the Hotel Maison in Montmartre in the 9th arrondissement after both his team and the Hockeyroos team of girlfriend Alice Arnott lost in the quarter finals.</p> <p>The 28-year-old had spent nearly 18 hours in custody after being arrested at midnight on Tuesday before being released with “a probationary criminal warning for drug use”.</p> <p>As a result of his indiscretion, the Kookaburras veteran has had his Olympic rights stripped from him, been banned from the athletes village and told he does not have the right to march in the closing ceremony.</p> <p>Craig, who is a qualified solicitor, fronted the media in central Paris hours before an AOC press conference, in which he apologised for his behaviour.</p> <p>“I would firstly like to apologise for what has occurred over the last 24 hours,” the Tokyo silver medallist said. “I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions."</p> <p>“My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, the sport and the Australian Olympic team. I have embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.” </p> <p>In the AOC press conference, Australian Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares said she was adamant Kookaburras star Tom Craig was acting alone when trying to purchase the drugs. </p> <p>“We do feel very confident that this is an isolated incident,” Meares said.</p> <p>“I would rather be here talking about the three gold medals that we have won today. But here we are first."</p> <p>“I cannot condone what Tom has done. He is a good person who made a bad decision. But there are consequences that come with decisions like this."</p> <p>“Our team has been exemplary at these Games and his actions do not reflect the values of this team, nor do they diminish this team’s performances. He has apologised, shown remorse and he has owned up to his mistake and we will support him if he needs help."</p> <p><em>Image credits: X (Twitter)/DAVE HUNT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Legal

Olympian proposes in the City of Love

<p>US shot putter Payton Otterdahl is finally engaged to his longtime girlfriend Maddy Nilles after eight years together. </p> <p>In a heartwarming post shared to Instagram, the Olympian captured the exact moment he popped the question under the Eiffel Tower. </p> <p>"Meanwhile, in the City of Love..." he captioned the photo in the City of Love. </p> <p>"I love you forever, Maddy Nilles!" Otterdahl added with a red heart emoji.</p> <p>In another photo, the newly-engaged couple were pictured sharing a kiss under the iconic monument to celebrate the milestone. </p> <p>Nilles re-shared the post to her Instagram story with a wholesome message in French.</p> <p>"Je vous aime," she wrote, which means "I love you" in English.</p> <p>While Otterdahl just missed out on an Olympic medal in Paris as he placed fourth in the shot put, many congratulated him for taking home the best prize - a love that will "last a lifetime". </p> <p>"Congratulations!!" Team USA shot putter and Olympic silver medalist Joe Kovacs said. </p> <p>"A legendary weekend for you guys. Congrats, and cheers!" one fan wrote. </p> <p>"You just won your gold medal! It will last a lifetime!" another added. </p> <p>"You’re joking!!!! This is the best news!!! A legendary weekend for you guys. Congrats, and cheers!" wrote a third. </p> <p>The Team USA and USA Track and Field accounts have also celebrated the couple's engagement news in a joined Instagram post.</p> <p>"It's an Olympic proposal," they announced. "Congratulations, Payton and Maddy!"</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

Despair after four years of pressure: how do Olympians deal with disappointment?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-mesagno-1252903">Christopher Mesagno</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/courtney-c-walton-1236295">Courtney C Walton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>Australia’s soccer team entered Paris with high hopes of notching their first Olympic medal but those aspirations came crashing down with <a href="https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-olympics-australia-vs-usa-football-women-group-match-3">defeat to the United States</a>.</p> <p>Even without star striker Sam Kerr, the Matildas – who enjoyed <a href="https://theconversation.com/connection-camaraderie-and-belonging-why-the-matildas-could-be-making-you-a-sports-fan-for-the-very-first-time-211526">a famous run</a> to finish fourth at the 2023 FIFA World Cup – were considered medal fancies but couldn’t progress past the group stage.</p> <p>It was a devastating loss – but how do these athletes (and others who don’t achieve their goals in Paris) rebound from the disappointment?</p> <h2>The pressure of performing</h2> <p>Every four years, <a href="https://olympics.com/ioc/news/olympic-games-tokyo-2020-watched-by-more-than-3-billion-people">billions of viewers</a> around the world unite in awe of the skill and perseverance of Olympians and Paralympians.</p> <p>The athletes fortunate enough to compete in Paris 2024 will have done their best to put years of dedicated preparation into their performances.</p> <p>Many will have performed well and some achieved their goal of claiming a medal. Others, though, will finish the games with the feeling they did not fully realise their potential when it counted most.</p> <p>This leaves many athletes finishing the games with crushing disappointment.</p> <p>Famously, legendary swimmer (and now retired) Cate Campbell experienced this after her results at the Rio Olympics, which led to awful abuse and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/olympian-cate-campbell-pens-letter-to-trolls-qld/10186576">harassment from a portion of the Australian public</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.685322/full">Research has shown</a> that many athletes report lower wellbeing after returning from the Olympics, including <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-you-get-home-its-really-lonely-new-research-shows-how-athletes-cope-with-post-olympic-life-163576">a sense of loneliness</a>, disappointment, and lack of direction.</p> <p>One of the reasons Olympic disappointment is so difficult is the deep ways in which an athlete’s identity gets wrapped up in their performance.</p> <p>That is, after years of being seen as “an athlete”, many begin to feel who they are as a person is dependent on how they perform.</p> <h2>Athlete mental health and the role of self-criticism</h2> <p>The mental health challenges faced by many athletes are now well recognised. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-020-01266-z">Research here in Australia</a> has found elite athletes show rates of mental ill-health at similar, if not greater, numbers than the general public. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0b013e318287b870">Major performance disappointments</a> are well known contributors to this.</p> <p>Perhaps adding salt to the wound, one of the ways that elite athletes deal with disappointment is through self-criticism. This can include hostile ways of relating to oneself, which can lead to feelings of worthlessness and inferiority.</p> <p>Being self-critical is seen in many pursuits as the only way to get ahead, in an attempt to remove weakness and demand self-improvement.</p> <p>However, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032718312254">research repeatedly shows</a> that most forms of self-criticism are associated with symptoms of mental ill-health. Moreover, harsh forms of internal judgement are <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167211410246">far less effective</a> at motivating growth and development than we might think.</p> <p>Athletes, like the rest of us, need to find another way to handle the inevitable setbacks and disappointments as they arise.</p> <h2>A role for compassion</h2> <p>A growing body of research and practice has suggested self-compassion might fit the bill.</p> <p><a href="https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjc.12043">Compassion can be defined</a> as the sensitivity to suffering in self and others, with a commitment to try to reduce or prevent the suffering.</p> <p>It can be directed to others, received from others, or directed internally (self-compassion).</p> <p>For an athlete experiencing post-Olympic distress, showing self-compassion involves turning towards that distress rather than avoiding, judging, or criticising, and then identifying what they need to address it.</p> <p>This is harder than it may seem.</p> <p>One of the reasons self-compassion is so difficult is because it goes against many of the ways in which we have learned to self-motivate. Indeed, many athletes will report a common worry: that being self-compassionate might lower their standards.</p> <p>That’s just not the case. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167212445599">Research has shown</a> self-compassion can motivate self-improvement and athletes with higher levels of self-compassion show positive performance outcomes in sport. This is in contrast to self-criticism.</p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2161064">Research has also shown</a> athletes who engage in more self-compassion tend to report a range of benefits including better mental health, and more helpful responses to disappointment.</p> <p>For this reason, there is a growing focus within clinical and sport psychology to help <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2033952">develop self-compassion among athletes</a> as a resource for resilience.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wmMXGipifKA?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Two-time Olympian Laurence Halsted says self-compassion helped improve his performance.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Building self-compassion</h2> <p>So, how can athletes (and the rest of us) build an ability to be self-compassionate?</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-be-kind-to-yourself-without-going-to-a-day-spa-223194">There are lots of ways</a>. A great start is using our inner wisdom to recognise how we would offer compassion to another person we care for, and then directing it inwards.</p> <p>Perhaps ask yourself: “how would I respond to a close friend in this situation?”</p> <p>Other strategies aim to trigger a soothing response in our bodies which can affect <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-017-0745-7">both our psychology and physiology</a>. For example we can actively change the tone of our inner thoughts <a href="https://soundcloud.com/jamesn-kirby/cft-posture-facial-expressions-and-voice-tone?si=89b19f29fc56462fad532c19bb44899b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">and outward facial expression</a> to be friendly rather than neutral or hostile.</p> <p>Additional practices involve mental imagery (or visualisation) to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/courtney-walton-449877725/sets/exercises-to-promote-self">develop our “compassionate self</a>”, which we can then learn to step into. These practices make up some of the key ingredients to compassionate mind training and compassion-focused therapy, which have been <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2024-33588-001.html">shown to reduce depression and self-criticism</a>.</p> <p>In this way, athletes can offer themselves the support they need to get through the difficulties of Olympic and Paralympic disappointment.</p> <h2>More than self-compassion</h2> <p>Just as important as an athlete’s self-compassion is the receiving of <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.586161">compassion</a> from others.</p> <p>After her Rio disappointment, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/olympian-cate-campbell-pens-letter-to-trolls-qld/10186576">Cate Campbell said</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Australians love winners — I felt like the only way I could endear myself to the Australian public was to come back with one of those shiny gold medals.</p> </blockquote> <p>So during and after these Olympic and Paralympic Games, let’s come together and support our athletes, no matter their result.</p> <p><em>For more on this topic, check out <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/psychtalks/what-do-athletes-need-for-good-mental-health">episode one of PsychTalks</a>, a podcast by the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences.</em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/227904/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-mesagno-1252903">Christopher Mesagno</a>, Senior Lecturer - Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Fellow - Institute for Health and Sport, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/courtney-c-walton-1236295">Courtney C Walton</a>, Academic Fellow & Psychologist, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/despair-after-four-years-of-pressure-how-do-olympians-deal-with-disappointment-227904">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

"Get over yourself": Sports fans call out Aussie Olympian's "privileged" rant

<p>Aussie sports fans have seemingly turned on swimming champion Ariarne Titmus after she called out the standard of living in the Olympic village. </p> <p>Titmus, who took home the gold medal in the 400m freestyle, labelled the conditions for athletes in Paris "ridiculous".</p> <p>"Living in the Olympic village makes it hard to perform," the 23-year-old said in an interview on Sunday.</p> <p>"It's definitely not made for high performance, so it's about who can really keep it together in the mind."</p> <p>Some sports fans haven't received her comments well, with many taking to social media to accuse the athlete of whinging. </p> <p>"Give me a break, why is it always the Aussies that make excuses?" one person fumed.</p> <p> </p> <p>Another posted, "Get over yourself, remember how privileged you are to be there ... to complain is really petty."</p> <p>Others argued that all the athletes in Paris are "in the same boat" so there is no point in complaining.</p> <p>"Our athletes are becoming a bunch of spoiled whining Australian representatives. If you don't like your situation just leave go home and find a job!" one person said.</p> <p>Another wrote, "I'm not very impressed if the competitors think that blaming their accommodation for their performance ... get over yourselves, and remember how privileged you are to have the chance to be there."</p> <p>Australian Swimming head coach Rohan Taylor has also spoken about the conditions of the Olympic village, but said being adaptable is crucial for competitors in France to succeed.</p> <p>"The Olympics has always been a challenge," he said. "Every Olympics I've been a part of, every Olympic Games that you see, is a test of athletes' ability to come here, compete and perform when it matters."</p> <p>"It's about how you manage yourself and whatever environments are presented, whatever the beds are, whatever the food is, everybody deals with it."</p> <p>"The Olympics has always been this way and that's the way it is. And that's the beauty of it."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Panoramic/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Aussie Olympian amputates finger to compete at Paris Games

<p>Matthew Dawson has amputated part of his ring finger in order to compete in the Olympics. </p> <p>The 30-year-old is set to represent the Australian men's hockey team - the Kookaburras- at this year's Paris Olympics.</p> <p>His Olympic participation was cast into doubt after he broke his finger, but in an extreme show of dedication, he opted to amputate it instead of getting a cast. </p> <p>“I made an informed decision with the plastic surgeon at the time not only for the opportunity to play in Paris but for life after as well,” Dawson told <em>7NEWS</em>.</p> <p>“The best option was for me to take the top of my finger off. It’s a bit of a change at the moment and an exciting challenge, I guess.”</p> <p>He reportedly didn't have much time to make the decision, but reassured that he was well informed before making the big move. </p> <p>“I had made the decision and then I called my wife, and she said, ‘I don’t want you to make a rash decision’, but I had all the information I needed to make the decision not for Paris but for life after,” he said.</p> <p>“Hopefully, I can not take too long to get back to form.”</p> <p>He added: “There are plenty of other issues and other people going on with other stuff in their lives that are bigger than losing a finger, so I’m very fortunate that it’s just a little bit of my finger.” </p> <p>Kookaburras Coach Colin Batch praised Dawson for making the big decision. </p> <p>“Dawson is back in training now. He’s certainly set the bar high for anyone getting a broken finger in the future, but full marks to Matt; he’s made that decision and obviously really committed to playing in Paris,” he said.</p> <p>The coach also told <em>7NEWS</em> that the decision was made entirely by Dawson, and that a coach can't decide for a player. </p> <p>“I’m not sure I would have done it, but he’s done it, so great,” he said.</p> <p>The Aussie hockey team will compete against Argentina on July 27 in their first match for the Paris Olympics.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Body

Olympian and former world champ shot dead at 42

<p>South African police have found the body of former Olympian and high jump world champion Jacques Freitag after he was reported missing. </p> <p>Local authorities say that they found the body of the 42-year-old in a field near a cemetery in the city of Pretoria with fatal gunshot wounds, and are treating his death as murder. </p> <p>South African news Netwerk24 reported that a source claims Freitag was allegedly executed, as one of the gunshot wounds was allegedly located in the back of his head.</p> <p>Freitag's sister, Chrissie Lewis, had appealed for help on social media to find her brother, who went missing in the early hours of June 17th after leaving his mother's house.</p> <p>Lewis said he had struggled with drug addiction after his athletics career ended.</p> <p>He was then not seen again until his body was discovered. </p> <p>Freitag won the 2003 world title in Paris and competed at the 2004 Olympics, representing South Africa in high jump.</p> <p>He was among a select group of athletes to win world titles at youth, junior and senior level, as World Athletics called Freitag “a prodigious athlete”. </p> <p>He won the high jump at the 1999 Youth World Championships in Poland, the Junior World Champs in Chile in 2000 and the Senior's in France in 2003.</p> <p>In 2003, he cleared 2.35m at the Stade de France in Paris to win the gold medal at the IAAF World Championships.</p> <p>He retired from sport in 2013 and was said to have in recent times been sleeping on the streets or friends' couches, having been unable to hold down a full-time job.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Hahn Lionel/ABACA/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

Former world champion cyclist to face court over Olympian wife's death

<p>Rohan Dennis, the husband of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, will face court after allegedly causing her death. </p> <p>Dennis, a former world champion cyclist, was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.</p> <p>It is alleged that he recklessly struck his wife with his car in front of their home in Medindie in Adelaide on December 30.</p> <p>Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died later that night. </p> <p>The pair share two children together, and Dennis is due to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.</p> <p>If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. </p> <p>The Australian cycling community were devastated when news of Hoskins' death first broke. </p> <p>"Melissa described her team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 world championships as the highlight of her career but for the rest of us, the highlight was just having her around," AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said at the time.</p> <p>"Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus of the sport has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and riding community."</p> <p>Hoskins competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Australian track cycling team pursuit, that finished fourth place. </p> <p>She also competed at the 2016 Olympics for the same team, and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the event. </p> <p>The Olympian was laid to rest in her hometown, Perth, in January with a public memorial service held in Adelaide during what would've been her 33rd birthday a month later.</p> <p>Dennis, who has been on bail since January, attended both ceremonies. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Legal

Olympian tragically killed at just 31

<p>A tragic incident has claimed the life of Alexandra Paul, a former Olympic figure skater, at the age of 31 following a collision involving seven vehicles.</p> <p>Alexandra Paul was in a car with her infant child when the accident took place in Melancthon Township, Ontario, Canada. The unfortunate incident occurred when a lorry collided with the car she was in, along with her baby, and five other vehicles that were stationary in a line, according to Canadian law enforcement.</p> <p>While Alexandra Paul was tragically pronounced deceased as a result of the collision, her baby was taken to a nearby children's hospital for treatment of injuries that were determined to be non-life-threatening.</p> <p>Skate Canada, through its Instagram platform, paid homage to Alexandra Paul's memory. The organisation conveyed their sorrow and announced the untimely passing of Alexandra Paul, a highly valued member of the skating community. Recognised as a radiant presence both on and off the ice, Alexandra's commitment, fervour and exceptional skills have left an enduring impression on the realm of figure skating.</p> <p>In remembering Alexandra's contributions to the sport, Skate Canada emphasised the camaraderie and sportsmanship that she consistently embodied. They praised her not just as an accomplished athlete, but also as a paragon of inspiration for budding skaters. Alexandra exemplified the principles of tenacity, persistence, and honourable conduct in sports.</p> <p>Skate Canada further extended their condolences, expressing their sympathy for Alexandra's family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known her during this challenging period.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwY8LfjM58y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwY8LfjM58y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Skate Canada / Patinage Canada (@skate_canada)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Alexandra Paul, alongside her husband and skating partner Mitchell Islam, achieved numerous international medals during their career. Their accomplishments include securing three Canadian championship medals and participating in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Alexandra retired from competitive skating in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of excellence on the ice.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

News

"I can't wake Mummy up": Olympian dies at 43

<p>A former Olympic swimmer has passed away suddenly at the age of 43 while on a trip with her family. </p> <p>Helen Smart, a British swimming champion who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was found unresponsive by her four-year-old daughter Heidi when she tried to climb into bed with her parents. </p> <p>Heidi then woke up her father Craig Smart, saying, "Daddy, I can't wake Mummy up," before Craig discovered his wife lying next to him dead.</p> <p>Smart's mother confirmed the news of her passing, telling the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12413199/Ex-Olympic-swimmer-turned-headteacher-Helen-Smart-dead-four-year-old-daughter-heartbreaking-video-shows-mother-paddleboarding-hours-sudden-death-aged-42.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>MailOnline</em></a>, "Heidi had woken up in the night and tried to get into bed with her. She said to her daddy, 'Mummy won't wake up''. He said, 'Oh, she must be very tired Heidi - you go back to bed'."</p> <p>"He put the torch on and he said later that when he looked he could tell."</p> <p>Linda continued, "We're distraught. They don't know what it is but they think it must have happened shortly after she went to bed. She just died in her sleep."</p> <p>Just hours before her sudden passing, Helen and her family had been paddle boarding in the north of England, while on a trip for her brother Robert's 40th birthday. </p> <p>Helen had not been suffering with any illnesses her family knew of. </p> <p>Linda said, "At midnight, she went to bed telling me: 'I'll go to bed now mum as I know I'll be woken at 6am by Heidi. I just want to get some sleep in as I've had a long day.'"</p> <p>Linda was then woken by Robert at 4am who said, "Mum, dad, you need to keep up - we think Helen's died."</p> <p>Smart's father John said he and his wife "can't comprehend how she could simply go to sleep and not wake up."</p> <p>Helen became a school principal after her retirement from swimming and was enjoying her new life. </p> <p>Craig Smart took to her school's Facebook page to say his wife "loved the school, staff, children and parents so much."</p> <p>"She was so proud to reach her goal of being Head Teacher," he continued. "She used to say to me all the time she could never see herself at another school. She was Worsley Mesnes through and through! I remember only last week she said her goal was to get the school to outstanding and that she had the right staff to achieve this!"</p> <p>"I hope you all keep learning like champions. Please learn from this and live your best life, no regrets, take lots of photos, make memories and keep smiling just like Helen always did!" he added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Twitter / Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

"Little bump in the road": Olympian shares joyous news

<p>Australian swimming sensation Emily Seebohm and former reality TV star Ryan Gallagher have made quite the splash with their pregnancy announcement. In a video that had everyone saying, "Aw!" and reaching for their tissues (mostly to wipe away tears of laughter), Seebohm proudly displayed her baby bump while Gallagher mimicked her with his own not-so-impressive belly.</p> <p>With Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" playing in the background, Seebohm, sporting an unbuttoned white shirt and jeans that were unbuttoned for extra effect, radiated joy as she embraced and smooched her soon-to-be baby daddy. She captioned the post, "We've had a little bump in the road 👶🏼." No pun intended, of course.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cubkg2mNKRr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cubkg2mNKRr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴊᴀɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʙᴏʜᴍ 🦋 (@emcbomb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Now, let's talk about Gallagher's side of the story. On his own Instagram page, he decided to have a little fun with the announcement. Filmed on the same sun-soaked beach, he hilariously held his own belly, gleefully shook his head (probably to mix up all the excitement), and playfully compared his miniature bump to Seebohm's glorious baby bump. Comedy gold, folks!</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CubiRyGNEr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CubiRyGNEr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Of course, the congratulatory messages came flooding in faster than a mixed medley relay. Australian swimming legend Emma McKeon exclaimed, "Congratulations ❤️❤️ love you guys. Love seeing you so happy." And former swimmer Giaan Rooney couldn't contain her excitement, saying, "Oh my goodness congratulations!!! 💗"</p> <p>Even Olympic gold medalist Libby Trickett chimed in with, "Congratulations! How wonderful ❤️," and Ian Thorpe, an Aussie swimming icon, added a simple, "Congratulations 👏." It seems like everyone in the swimming world wanted to dive in and join the celebration.</p> <p>But the accolades didn't stop there! Former Aussie hurdler Dr. Jana Pittman expressed her excitement, saying, "Amazing news. Lovely way to announce it too ❤️," while Australian swimmer Jenna Strauch gushed, "Very special news! So happy for you ❤️."</p> <p>And let's not forget about comedian Nikki Osborne, who humorously declared herself a future groomsman, reminding Gallagher not to leave her out of the fun. Good call, Nikki. Every celebration needs a touch of comedy!</p> <p>So, mark your calendars, folks, because the due date was revealed in the most adorable way possible. The words "Baby Seebohm due September" were written in the sand, making us all eagerly anticipate the arrival of this little bundle of joy.</p> <p>Congratulations to Emily Seebohm and Ryan Gallagher on their upcoming adventure in parenthood! May their journey be filled with laughter, love, and lots of pool floaties.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Olympian dies at just 37 years of age

<p>It’s a sad day in the world of winter sports and the Alpine Ski World Cup. Italian skier and silver medalist, Elena Fanchini has died at 37 from a tumour.</p> <p>"At the end of a serious illness, Elena Fanchini passed away in her home in Solato (near Brescia)," the Italian Winter Sports Federation said in a short statement.</p> <p>Fanchini died on the same day that fellow Italian skier Marta Bassio won the super-G world championships in Meribel, France; and just two days after Federica Brignone, a former teammate, won gold in combined.</p> <p>Another fellow skier, Sofia Goggia, the favourite for Saturday’s downhill, dedicated her win in Cortina d’Ampezzo last month to Fanchini.</p> <p>American champion skier, Mikaela Shiffrin took to Twitter to share her grief over Fanchini’s death. "This was a day filled with emotions. There is so much I'd like to share... but what weighs the heaviest is the loss of @ElenaFanchini,” she said in her tweet.</p> <p>Fanchini won a silver medal in the 2005 world championships and two World Cup races in her career - both in downhill.</p> <p>Fanchini last skied competitively in December 2017. She was cleared to return to training almost a year late but her condition had worsened.</p> <p>She had to miss the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics because of her condition.</p> <p>Fanchini's younger sisters Nadia and Sabrina were also World Cup racers.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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