Search

Desperate search after Aussie man swept out to sea while saving swimmer

<p>A desperate search is underway for an Australian man who got swept out to sea while saving a tourist from drowning on a Bali beach. </p> <p>Craig Laidley, 56, was walking along Balian Beach about 4.15pm on Wednesday when he heard 29-year-old Micro Stalla calling out for help.</p> <p>The Perth man rushed into the water to save the German tourist, but unfortunately Laidley never made it back to shore after being swept out to sea by an "extreme" wave. </p> <p>Laidley, who reportedly lives in Bali, was last seen “drifting back out to the ocean”.</p> <p>He was reported missing to police about three hours later, and they immediately launched a search, with with Denpasar Search and Rescue Office head Nyoman Sidakarya confirming the search is still ongoing. </p> <p>“[On Wednesday] night our team tried to search for victims using land searches and today the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office dispatched 10 people with land and sea SRU divisions,” Sidakarya said. </p> <p>“Information from the team at the location is that the wave conditions are extreme," he added. </p> <p>Rescue teams used rubber boats to search for Laidley within a 10km radius of where he was last seen and also scoured the coastline on foot.</p> <p>Police have also conducted interviews with witnesses as part of their ongoing search. </p> <p>One witness said that there were no warning signs around the beach, despite the dangers. </p> <p>“Incidents like this happen often here,” he told the ABC.</p> <p>“About four months ago, a foreigner went missing. He was found dead 4 hours later. In the last five years, there have been five incidents like this.”</p> <p>Laidley's family have appealed to the public to help find him. </p> <p>“Hello, our family is seeking assistance from the public in Bali,” Craig’s nephew posted on Facebook.</p> <p>“Craig was last seen helping a male that was reportedly drowning in the ocean between Tebing Balian rocks near Balian Beach.</p> <p>“He was then seen drifting back out to the ocean after saving this man’s life.”</p> <p>The search is set to continue on Friday morning. </p> <p>The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Indonesia.</p> <p><em><strong>Editors Update: </strong></em></p> <p>Craig Laidley’s body has been found on the beach on Friday morning by searchers. His two brothers, Bruce and Glenn, arrived in Bali overnight to join the search. </p> <p>His family are still coming to terms with the loss, but have told <em>7News </em>that they are proud of his heroic rescue and glad that his brothers were there to bring him home.</p> <p><em>Images: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency/ Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Swimmer drowns unnoticed during event

<p>An athlete has drowned in the middle of a livestreamed sporting competition in the US, with spectators and competitors alike not realising until it was too late.</p> <p>Lazar Đukić, an athlete from Belgrade, Serbia, was one of many competing at the CrossFit competition in Texas, when he reportedly vanished near the end of a live-streamed 800-metre swim in Fort Worth’s Marine Creek Lake, near Dallas, on Thursday. </p> <p>Spectators, staff and swimmers initially didn't notice the man had drowned, as the Fort Worth Fire Department told AP it was called to assist police because there “was a participant in the water that was down and hadn’t been seen in some point in time”.</p> <p>Two hours after he was last seen, a body was pulled from the lake. </p> <p>One distressed spectator said “people were still swimming over him where he went down”.</p> <p>The organisers of the CrossFit Games issued a statement on Thursday, saying they are "deeply saddened" by the turn of events. </p> <p>“CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a CrossFit Games competitor during the swimming portion of Individual Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games,” the statement read.</p> <p>“We are fully co-operating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time.”</p> <p>Mr Đukić, 28, has been remembered as a “beloved friend and elite athlete”.</p> <p>A <a title="www.gofundme.com" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/lazar-dukic-support-fund">GoFundMe fundraising page</a> has been set up by one of Mr Đukić sponsors drinks brand Fitaid, to “support his loved ones during this time”, and has already raised $215,000 of $228,000 goal. </p> <p>“Known for his kindness, humour, and supportive nature, Lazar brought a breath of fresh air wherever he went,” state the page.</p> <p>“Beyond his athletic achievements, Lazar was caring, humorous and relentlessly supported those around him. His warm, supportive nature and quick wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe</em></p>

Caring

Aussie swimmer pays tribute to late father on the winner's podium

<p>Australian backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown has paid tribute to her late father on the winner's podium at the Paris Games. </p> <p>The 23-year-old emerged victorious from the 100m backstroke, beating American pair Regan Smith and Katharaine Berkoff in a thrilling finish to take home the gold medal. </p> <p>As she took to the podium, McKeown paid tribute to her late father Sholto, who passed away in August 2020 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. </p> <p>She said that it was her father's dream to see both of his daughters compete at the Olympics.</p> <p>He got to see Kaylee’s older sister Taylor, also a swimmer, at Rio in 2016 but never got to see Kaylee compete because of the delay to Tokyo 2020 amidst the Covid pandemic.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>Nine</em> after her win, McKeown said her dad helped her secure the victory.</p> <p>“Expectation, I think, is a privilege, and if you get that privilege, it’s something special,” she said.</p> <p>“I like to think I have a little superpower, and that’s my dad. I believe he was with me tonight. I’m just over the moon. It feels really nice. I wasn’t sure if I could get up and get there tonight, the Americans gave me a red hot push."</p> <p>“It just feels wonderful to be here.”</p> <p>The emotional Aussie said her dad would be immensely proud, saying, “I’m not going to swear but we can all put words together.”</p> <p>“He’d be extremely proud. It’s great to have my family here because I know that he’s here in spirit. No words can really amount to how much I appreciate (my family’s) support. They deal with a lot of s***, so thank you for all of that.”</p> <p>Since his passing, Australia’s backstroke golden girl had a message dedicated to Sholto tattooed on her left foot, which says: ‘I’ll always be with you’.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Family & Pets

For a century, it’s been illegal to swim in the Seine. Will Paris’s clean-up make the river safe for Olympic swimmers?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-a-wright-5162">Ian A. Wright</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a></em></p> <p>Five eagerly anticipated events in the Paris Olympics will be the mens and womens 10 kilometre marathon swimming races, as well as the 1,500 metre swimming section of three triathlon events. Why? Because all will be held in the Seine River in the centre of Paris. The swimmers – including <a href="https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/trio-complete-an-historic-australian-olympic-marathon-swim-team-for-paris-2024">four Australians</a> – will pass famous landmarks such as the Musee d'Orsay as they swim through the historic heart of the city. This will have enormous scenic appeal for spectators.</p> <p>But will it be safe for swimmers? Rivers running through large cities are <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-021-00026-w">often polluted</a>, whether from stormwater, chemical pollution or wastewater spills. As the marathon swimmers pass the <a href="https://musee-egouts.paris.fr/en/">Paris Sewer Museum</a>, they may well wonder if they’re in clean water.</p> <p>For more than 100 years, swimming in the Seine has actually been illegal, due to concerns over what the water could do to human health. Authorities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/24/olympic-games-clean-up-aims-to-leave-parisians-swimming-in-the-seine">have been working</a> to clean up the water, spending A$2.2 billion (€1.3 billion) on improving water quality. The goal: cut bacterial contamination by 75% before the first swimmer touches the water. These measures are having an impact – but recent heavy rains have seen bacteria levels spike.</p> <p>While officials have put on brave faces, there’s now a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/paris-2024-sets-up-reserve-site-marathon-swimming-if-seine-unsuitable-2024-07-05/">contingency plan</a> in case the Seine isn’t safe.</p> <h2>Why swim in the Seine at all?</h2> <p>Urban rivers have a questionable reputation. But this isn’t the first time the Seine River has been used for Olympic swimming.</p> <p>In the 1900 Paris Olympics, <a href="https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/paris-1900/results/swimming">seven swimming events</a> were all held in the river. These games were the first modern Olympics where <a href="https://olympics.com/ioc/faq/history-and-origin-of-the-games/when-did-women-first-compete-in-the-olympic-games">women could compete</a> in some sports, but swimming was not one of those permitted.</p> <p>The Australian swimmer who competed, Frederick Lane, had to swim under the United Kingdom’s flag as Australia did not have a flag until Federation the following year. He won two gold medals. One was for the 200 metre freestyle race, and the other for a bizarre race never held again: the 200m <a href="https://www.olympedia.org/results/4433">swimming obstacle race</a>, where swimmers had to climb over poles and boats. These Olympics also saw the first and last underwater swimming race, which was also in the Seine.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=475&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=475&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=475&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="historic photo swimming seine river paris" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Swimmers took to the Seine’s waters at the 1900 Paris Olympics, when the river ran cleaner.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Swimming_1900.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Back then, the waters of the Seine were cleaner. That’s because there was a great demand for human waste on farms – and cities were the main source. Back then, “night soil” (human waste) had a <a href="https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/11/1757/2007/hess-11-1757-2007.pdf">real market value</a>. No one would think of dumping it in rivers.</p> <p>But as time went on, sewerage systems developed and other fertilisers such as guano and mineral fertilisers arrived. By the early 20th century, most of the city’s wastewater went into the Seine. In 1923, the swimming ban came into effect. A year later, Paris hosted the Olympics for its second time – and swimmers competed in 50 metre pools.</p> <p>In recent years, many cities around the world have worked to clean up their urban waterways. River swimming is <a href="https://www.timeout.com/news/the-european-cities-cleaning-up-rivers-for-wild-swimmers-101821">now common</a> in cities such as Copenhagen, Berlin and Vienna, where river health has improved dramatically.</p> <h2>How can you clean a river like the Seine?</h2> <p>Cleaning the Seine is a challenge. Paris is home to 11 million people, with plenty of industry. Urban rivers are almost inevitably polluted by waste from the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-021-00026-w%5D">surrounding city</a>.</p> <p>Leaking and overflowing sewage systems are a major source of pollution. In places like the UK, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-62631320">sewage spills</a> into waterways have become a major political issue.</p> <p>When wastewater spills into rivers, it carries pollutants and dangerous loads of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6725a1.htm">disease-causing microorganisms</a>, such as <em>Escherichia coli</em> (commonly known as E. coli). Untreated water can have viruses, bacteria and disease-causing protozoa.</p> <p>In the lead-up to the Paris games, authorities have been working to improve water quality enough to bring some Olympic swimming back to the Seine. Stormwater – often contaminated by dog poo or sewage overflows – is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/08/can-paris-clean-seine-for-next-year-2024-olympics">being cleaned</a> before it is released into the river.</p> <p>Despite the money and effort, there are still real questions over whether it will be enough to guarantee swimmer safety. Bacterial levels hit risky levels <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/11/sport/paris-olympics-seine-triathlon-bacteria-spiking-intl/index.html">most days in June</a> due to unseasonally heavy rains, but the water has <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/france/20240712-seine-clean-enough-to-swim-for-most-of-past-12-days-paris-says-ahead-of-olympics">improved in July</a>.</p> <p>This week, French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra <a href="https://www.nbclosangeles.com/paris-2024-summer-olympics/french-sports-minister-takes-dip-in-seine-river-2024-paris-olympics/3458469/">swam a few metres</a> in the Seine in an effort to douse concerns.</p> <p>By contrast, the other Olympic swimming events will take place in a recently constructed 50 metre pool, which will have very good water quality. The pool water is filtered and treated with a disinfectant such as chlorine or bromine. It will be regularly tested to ensure optimal water quality.</p> <p>At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, triathletes had to swim in polluted Tokyo Bay. But similar concerns over sickness proved unfounded. The real challenge was the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/05/olympic-athletes-and-volunteers-in-tokyo-tortured-by-heat">oppressive heat</a>.</p> <h2>What’s at risk?</h2> <p>The most likely outcome if races are held when bacterial levels are unsafe would be getting a gastrointestinal bug.</p> <p>Officials have some control over this. Contamination is worst after heavy rain. Races could be delayed if need be.</p> <p>Many swimmers – especially those who compete in open-water competitions – are familiar with swimming in water with some level of pollution. Some see it as worth the risk. Italian double world champion swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240226-paris-holds-its-breath-for-olympic-swimming-events-in-murky-seine">said in January</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Even if the water is dirty, I would rather swim in an electric atmosphere in the centre of Paris than in an anonymous stretch of water.</p> </blockquote> <p>Paris 2024 organisers previously warned there was no plan B for the 10 km marathon races in the Seine if water quality testing is unsuitable. But this has now changed. If the river isn’t clean enough, open water swimming <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/paris-2024-sets-up-reserve-site-marathon-swimming-if-seine-unsuitable-2024-07-05/">will be moved</a> to the rowing venue.</p> <p>The Olympic triathlon is planned around a swimming leg in the Seine. But triathletes <a href="https://www.espn.com.au/olympics/story/_/id/39912675/triathlon-leg-cancelled-seine-quality-paris-2024-chief">have been told</a> the swim leg could be skipped if the water is unsafe, which would turn the race into a running and cycling duathlon.</p> <p>As the world’s attention turns to Paris, there will be many anxious officials behind the scenes hoping their hard work on making the Seine swimmable pays off.<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/231705/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-a-wright-5162">Ian A. Wright</a>, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: CARON/ZEPPELIN/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial </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/for-a-century-its-been-illegal-to-swim-in-the-seine-will-pariss-clean-up-make-the-river-safe-for-olympic-swimmers-231705">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

"An absolute hero": 10-year-old boy rescues drowning swimmer

<p>Miles Babcock has been made an honorary member of Careflight after saving a woman who was drowning in Sydney Harbour. </p> <p>Miles, who is just 10 years old, was paddle boarding with his dad Graham when they spotted the woman who was struggling in the water. </p> <p>The 10-year-old remained calm and collected after spotting the woman in distress, and began directing his dad over to help the woman out of the water. </p> <p>Graham could not contain his pride for his son, telling <em>Today</em> that he did everything in his power to rush to her aid.</p> <p>"I'm just incredibly proud, it's one of those confronting situations where you never really know how you're going to react," Graham said.</p> <p>"But Miles was the one who spotted the lady in distress, he kept the board steady and told me to get in the water and go and get her, he helped get her onto the board, helped turn her onto the side and helped pat her on the back to help clear her airways."</p> <p>"And then as soon as I asked him to jump off the board because we needed to get into shore as quickly as possible, he just did exactly that." </p> <p>Another nearby paddleboarder helped get the lady onto Miles and Graham's board, while Miles stayed behind to catch a ride back to shore with another boarder.</p> <p>"He was a real, real trooper and an absolute hero on the day," Graham said.</p> <p>"And then all the people who came in and helped were just fantastic, it was one of those things where everyone came together."</p> <p>People on the shore had already called triple zero and the Careflight team worked with lifeguards and paramedics to help get the woman to hospital where she is recovering.</p> <p>In the days after the rescue, Miles was called into the Careflight base to meet with the crew who helped the drowning woman, as they made him an an honorary Air Crew Officer and praised his "heroic rescue".</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMyCareFlight%2Fvideos%2F416634217746897%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Today </em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

“Never be forgotten”: Uncle of NRL star drowns while saving swimmers

<p>The man who died, Talitiga Taupau, was trying to save the lives of two others caught in a dangerous rip with him.</p> <p>The father-of-six entered the rip at Cronulla’s Shelly Beach on Saturday afternoon. One swimmer made it back to the beach, while Talitiga and one other were pulled unconscious from the water. </p> <p>Talitiga died at the scene, while the second unconscious man was revived and taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition after allegedly being underwater for three minutes. The swimmer who returned to shore was reported to be in a stable condition and receiving further treatment. </p> <p>Talitiga’s death brings the state’s summer drowning toll to 14 (with the count commencing on December 1). </p> <p>The 44-year-old has been identified as the uncle of Brisbane Broncos player Martin “Marty” Taupau. </p> <p>“It's really sad that this has happened but he will never be forgotten for his actions," Marty told 9News of his uncle’s passing. Marty was reportedly driving to Brisbane with his family for training with his team when he heard the news. </p> <p>“There’s just so much happening,” he added, “so much to process.” </p> <p>Talitiga and the second man were pulled from the water by nearby lifeguards. Joel Wiseman, director of lifesaving for Surf Life Saving NSW, stressed the strain on volunteer lifesavers across the state in the wake of the recent drownings, including the tragedy at Shelly Beach on the weekend. </p> <p>“We are experiencing one of our busiest summers ever with huge rescue numbers,” Wiseman stated, “and our volunteers have put in a massive effort to try to keep people safe along the coast.</p> <p>"Despite the growing drowning toll, volunteers and lifeguards should be very proud of what they've achieved so far this summer. There are a combination of factors making this summer so deadly, including people taking risks, alcohol consumption, and crowded beaches which can lead beachgoers to seek out unfamiliar and unpatrolled locations.</p> <p>"Rip currents remain the number one coastal hazard and the 14 coastal drowning deaths this summer have all occurred at unpatrolled locations."</p> <p>An investigation is underway into the latest drowning, with Sutherland Shire police set to prepare a report for the coroner. </p> <p>Talitiga Taupau is being remembered as a hero for his actions, with tributes flowing for his family.</p> <p>Marty Taupau posted one such tribute to his Instagram, sharing 9News’ segment on his uncle’s story with the caption “Manuia lau malaga uncle“ (Have a good trip uncle) and the hashtag “hero”. </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/Cn_oTOwJwJ9/?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/Cn_oTOwJwJ9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 🧿 M A R T Y K A P O W 🧿 (@martykapow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Prayers and condolences to you and your family brother,” wrote Australian basketball star Dejan Vasiljevic. </p> <p>Fellow rugby league player Brad Takairangi commented, “much love my bro.” </p> <p>“So sorry for your loss @martykapow,” shared one supporter, echoing the sentiments of many who had come to the post to share their condolences for Marty and Talitiga’s loved ones, “sending sympathy and love to you and all your family.”</p> <p>As Marty told 9News, “I know I’ve got the right people and support networks around … I’ll be okay.” </p> <p><em>Images: 9News</em></p> <p> </p>

News

"Letting you in on a little secret": Olympic swimmer finds love

<p>Emily Seebohm has confirmed she is dating Married At First Sight star and comedian Ryan Gallagher.</p> <p>The popular swimmer and three-time Olympic champion, 30, is currently appearing alongside Gallagher on Channel 10 reality show The Challenge Australia.</p> <p>There has been lots of speculation surrounding their romance and last month Gallagher was asked on radio station 2Day FM if he was in a relationship with Emily, to which he replied: “Em is a beautiful, beautiful girl, and if there was a relationship there, I’d be very lucky”.</p> <p>Since then, the pair have made it official with simultaneous Instagram posts shared on Tuesday.</p> <p>“Letting you in on a little secret,” wrote Seebohm with an image of her and Gallagher smiling on a balcony.</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/ClxrAYUpWCU/?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/ClxrAYUpWCU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴊᴀɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʙᴏʜᴍ 🦋 (@emcbomb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>At the same time Gallagher posted an image of Seebohm with her hands draped over him with a smiley face emoji.</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/ClxpL4ALSn-/?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/ClxpL4ALSn-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Various stars congratulated the couple including Tracy Grimshaw.</p> <p>“Gold for Australia,” wrote comedian and presenter Dave Hughes.</p> <p>“Outstanding,” replied former A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw</p> <p>Rhonda Burchmore said the announcement was “bloody magnificent”.</p> <p>Gallagher took up comedy after starring in Married at Frist Sight where he was matched up with Davina Rankin. They soon broke up after this.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Dramatic underwater rescue of unconscious swimmer captured in photographs

<p dir="ltr">The dramatic rescue of Team USA swimmer Anita Alvarez has been captured by underwater photographer Oli Scarff in a series of photos that make for a moment-by-moment replay.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alvarez was performing in the artistic swimming solo free final at the 2022 World Aquatics Championship in Budapest when, at the end of her swim, she became unconscious and sank to the bottom of the pool.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-01548cc8-7fff-8bb9-08a0-7e9ed3b7fe5e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Head coach Andrea Fuentes quickly sprang into action, diving into the pool fully clothed and swimming down to grab Alvarez.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a good scare,” Fuentes told Spanish sports newspaper <em>Macra</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I had to dive in because the lifeguards didn’t do it. I was scared because I could see she wasn’t breathing.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c768b9ad-7fff-b3c4-cf03-c7d3e2e2b8ae"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Fuentes then brought Alvarez to the pool’s surface, where another swimmer helped take the unconscious athlete to the edge of the pool.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alvarez was lifted out of the water and onto a stretcher so she could receive medical attention.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, Fuentes confirmed that Alvarez had a medical emergency but that “all is okay”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The doctors checked all vitals and everything is normal: heart rate, oxygen, sugar levels, blood pressure, etc … all is okay,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We sometimes forget that this happens in other high-endurance sports.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have seen images where some athletes don’t make it to the finish line and others help them to get there.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our sport is no different than others, just in a pool, we push through limits and sometimes we find them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anita feels good now and the doctors also say she is okay. Tomorrow she will rest all day and will decide with the doctor if she can swim free team finals or not. Thank you for all your well wishes for Anita.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This isn’t the first time Alvarez has experienced a medical emergency in the pool, nor is it the first time Fuentes has saved her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alvarez briefly lost consciousness at the end of a routine while at an Olympic qualification event in Barcelona last June, where Fuentes dove in to rescue her.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 25-year-old came seventh in Wednesday’s competition with a score of 87.6333, with Japan’s Yukiko Inui claiming victory having scored 95.3667.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1d8743d9-7fff-d5de-90ba-85bf48e13c84"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Oli Scarff (Getty Images)</em></p>

Caring

Historic change made for transgender swimmers

<p dir="ltr">The swimming world will be the first sport to allow transgender athletes to compete at an elite level separate to men’s and women’s competitions, after the International Swimming Federation (FINA)’s president Husain Al-Mussallam announced the new category on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I do not want any athlete to be told they cannot compete at the highest level,” Mr Al-Mussallam told the FINA Extraordinary Congress in Budapest, Hungary, per <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/swimming-makes-historic-decision-to-segregate-transgender-athletes/news-story/3832900944e167a1b19c817f35dfb7be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I will set up a working group to set up an open category at our meets. We will be the first federation to do that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Al-Mussallam announced the change after FINA unveiled an inclusivity policy which was then approved by members.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brent Nowicki, the CEO of FINA, said the organisation was determined to maintain separate competitions for men and women.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(FINA) recognises that certain individuals may not be able to compete in the category that best aligns with their legal gender alignment or gender identity,” he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Nowicki explained that under the rules, the male competition would be open to everyone. However, “male-to-female” and intersex athletes would only be allowed to compete in the women’s competition or set a world record “if they can prove they have not experienced any element of male puberty”.</p> <p dir="ltr">This prompted immediate backlash from some sections of the swimming world, with Dr Christer Magnusson, a member of FINA’s medical committee, among those complaining that it implied that boys as young as 10 would have to decide to start transitioning to compete as female athletes.</p> <p dir="ltr">David Gerrard, a fellow member of the medical committee and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Otago, New Zealand, also criticised the policy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To ask or expect an 11, 12-year-old boy to make a decision that will affect the rest of his life is a big ask,” Professor Gerrard said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others were more receptive to the decision. American swimmer Alex Walsh cautiously welcomed it after she won the women’s 200m medley at the world championships on Monday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m happy that FINA are … re-evaluating the rules,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am not really sure what the answer is to keep things fair but obviously I hope that everyone is able to compete and as long as they are finding a way to do that then I am happy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">FINA’s decision and policy come after the International Olympic Committee asked sports federations to create their own “sport-specific” rules about transgender athletes last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">FINA created three committees - one legal, one medical, and one of athletes - to consider the issue, with the medical committee finding that transgender women retained some advantages from being assigned male at birth.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some of the advantages males acquire in puberty are structural and are not lost with hormone suppression,” said Dr Sandra Hunter of Milwaukee’s Marquette University.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These include larger lungs and hearts, longer bones, bigger feet and hands.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, the legal experts found that the policy of excluding most transgender swimmers would be legal.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(It is) necessary and proportionate to achieve a legitimate objective,” London-based barrister James Drake said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The new gender inclusion policy will come into effect on June 20, 2022, according to the <a href="https://www.fina.org/news/2649715/press-release-fina-announces-new-policy-on-gender-inclusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FINA website</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0046eca1-7fff-fd6e-1c04-a0526785f8d0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @fina1908 (Instagram)</em></p>

News

Anti-trans billboard featuring Aussie swimmers comes under fire

<p dir="ltr">Swimming Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) have threatened a conservative lobby group with legal action over billboards featuring images of elite female swimmers used in a campaign against trans women competing in sport, per <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/25/swimming-australia-threatens-legal-action-over-billboards-claiming-womens-sport-is-not-for-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Conservative group Advance, formerly the Advance Australia Party, has produced billboards and social media graphics featuring the phrase “Women’s sport is not for men” alongside images of Dawn Fraser, Emma McKeon and Emily Seebohm, after all three commented on the issue recently.</p> <p dir="ltr">The group recently launched the billboards as criticism of Warringah MP Zali Steggall’s support for including trans women in female sports, all while supporting Liberal Warringah candidate Katherine Deves following her controversial comments about trans people.</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for the AOC said the organisation will send a legal letter to Advance, alleging the billboards use its intellectual property without permission.</p> <p dir="ltr">The billboards use images of Seebohm and McKeon in their uniforms that feature the Olympic rings, the intellectual property the AOC claims is being used without permission.</p> <p dir="ltr">Swimming Australia has also sent a legal threat to Advance to “immediately” remove the ads, and “strongly condemns” the use of the athletes’ imagery. </p> <p dir="ltr">The organisation has claimed Advance didn’t seek or receive permission to use the imagery.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For clarity - if it was sought it would have been categorically denied. Swimming Australia does not endorse this, or any message, from the Advance Australia party,” Eugénie Buckley, the chief executive of Swimming Australia, said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Swimming Australia believes in a competitive environment that is inclusive, fair and equitable for all athletes at the same time. Ultimately, all Australians deserve to feel welcome, safe, valued and celebrated in swimming.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Advance has indicated it will not remove the billboards following Swimming Australia’s legal threat.</p> <p dir="ltr">Seebohm has criticised Advance for using her comments and image “as part of a political agenda without my consent”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Olympic swimmer previously told Sky News that “biological males are always going to be stronger, fitter, faster than biological females” and that swimming authorities “need to work out how we can all come together in this sport”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Fraser told the Daily Telegraph, “I don’t think it’s fair to have transgender men competing against women”, and McKeon said she “personally would not want to be racing against someone who is biologically male” at a Griffith University event.</p> <p dir="ltr">Seebohm has stood by her comments, telling <em>Guardian Australia</em> she didn’t consent to their use by Advance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As I have stated in the media this week, there needs to be a conversation started about how to be inclusive while still maintaining fairness for all athletes,” she told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I did not, and would never, give my permission for my image or brand to be used by Advance Australia on the mobile billboards, or advertising that is currently circulating, as part of a political campaign.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I remain committed to finding a fair solution for all athletes to be able to compete on a level playing field, while encouraging inclusiveness and supporting more young people to become involved in the sport.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to reports from Nine News, Fraser has engaged her own solicitor to address the use of her image in the campaign.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-709b0e7d-7fff-9b24-a794-93324529819c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Advance Australia (Facebook)</em></p>

Legal

“Australia straight-up cheated”: Why the US are not happy with our swimmers

<p>At a time when Australians were thankful to have something to be happy about it was all topped off by one of the last performances – the women’s 4 x 100m medley relay where we won gold.</p> <p>Kaylee McKeown (backstroke), Chelsea Hodges (breaststroke), Emma McKeon (butterfly) and Cate Campbell (freestyle) beat the United States for first place in a thrilling finish in an Olympic-record time of 3:51.60.</p> <p>Hodges received huge praise for her incredible second leg, then McKeon and Campbell brought it home in what could possibly be one of the most memorable performances we’ve seen in the pool in Tokyo.</p> <p>Back at home in Australia, everyone was very impressed but the Americans were quick to point out some points of contention.</p> <p>Some American sports fans complained that Campbell’s reaction time in leaving the block after Emma McKeon’s touch was too quick but it was 0.04 seconds which is inside the legal allowed time given.</p> <p>There was never more than 0.55 seconds between Australia and the United States during the final, and sizzling swims from McKeon and Campbell were needed to see Australia grasp the lead from their greatest rivals in the last 15 metres.</p> <p>If you consider the fact Australia won the race by 0.13 seconds, it could be argued Campbell’s well-timed start ultimately proved the difference.</p> <p>Campbell has spoken about the moment saying: “I saw a number one next to our names and I thought, ‘oh, my goodness, that’s incredible’,” Campbell told Channel 7.</p> <p>“I looked up and the girls were celebrating and I thought ‘my changeover was very quick, we’ve either just won an Olympic gold medal or we’ve just been disqualified’.</p> <p>“So, I was like we have to wait until the results are official. And they were official and we are Olympic gold medallists.”</p> <p>But the Americans on social media did not agree: “Australia straight up cheated. You can see on the replay the last swimmer jumped way before her tm8 touched the wall. Should have been a DQ. Shameful,” Twitter user Brian O’Cleary posted.</p> <p>“Australia woman cheated on that 4\100 medley that last woman was jumping in the water before the teammate touched the wall no wonder they got an Olympic record,” another American wrote on the site. “The USA woman won gold in my eyes. Great race.”</p> <p>These complaints aside, the result was a huge win for the Australian Olympic team. It gave Australia nine swimming gold medals in Tokyo — our most successful performance ever at an Olympics, surpassing the eight gold medals won by our swimmers at the 1956 Melbourne Games.</p> <p>Image: Getty Images</p>

News

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack learns fate on career-ending doping ban

<p>Aussie swimmer Shana Jack has been given a suspension of only two years after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided to half her four-year doping ban.</p> <p>Jack was dumped from the Australian team for the 2019 world titles after she tested positive in July last year, resulting in a possible four-year ban.</p> <p>The 22-year-old has always maintained her innocence and claimed that the positive test to non-steroid anabolic agent Ligandrol may have been due to cross-contamination.</p> <p>The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday ruled that Jack did not knowingly take the banned drug Ligandrol and elected to reduce her four-year ban to just two years.</p> <p>"The Sole Arbitrator in charge of this matter found, on the balance of probabilities, that Shayna Jack did not intentionally ingest ligandrol and considered that she had discharged her onus of proving that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional," CAS said in its ruling.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpcdQLgwFY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpcdQLgwFY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Shayna Jack (@shayna_jack)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"As a consequence, the Sole Arbitrator imposed a reduced period of ineligibility of two years, commencing on the date of her provisional suspension."</p> <p>Jack can continue her career next year but will not be able to take part in the rescheduled Tokyo 2021 Games.</p> <p>"The anti-doping rules are far from satisfactory and can produce results that are far from fair. In my case, I have proven that I have NOT ever cheated, nor used prohibited substances intentionally or knowingly," she wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>"I cannot change the rules and the rules will remain as they are for the time being. Therefore, I accept this decision with a positive attitude and with gratitude that my career as a swimmer will resume next year.</p> <p>"I have never doubted myself for a minute throughout this ordeal and I have never allowed my integrity to be compromised. I walk a little taller tonight with the fact that this ordeal is finally over. I am returning to swimming – the sport that I have loved all my life and the sport that I will cherish just that little bit more ongoing."</p>

News

Swimmer bitten on head by saltwater crocodile

<p>A man who was bitten on the head by a crocodile in Far North Queensland is expected to make a full recovery.</p> <p>The 33-year-old was snorkelling off a beach at Lizard Island, on the Great Barrier Reef on Wednesday afternoon when he was attacked by a 2-metre saltwater crocodile.</p> <p>The attack occurred when the man was in deep water, close to 50 metres offshore.</p> <p>He was quickly rushed to Cairns Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service with injuries on his head and neck.</p> <p>He is currently in a stable condition.</p> <p>Operators of Lizard Island Resort, Delaware North, issued a statement saying the incident was rare and the man was expected to make a full recovery.</p> <p>"Lizard Island Resort management received notification that an individual swimming on one of the island beaches had received a bite from a suspected crocodile, resulting in wounds to the upper body area," the statement said.</p> <p>"Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers have been notified of the incident and are in direct contact with the resort management.</p> <p>"We view this incident as an extremely isolated and rare occurrence, and emphasise that the current safety messaging provided to all guests and the resort staff are consistent with Queensland Parks and Wildlife's advice."</p> <p>Lizard Island is closed due to coronavirus restrictions and is due to reopen to visitors on December 14.</p>

Family & Pets

What is Ligandrol – the drug swimmer Shayna Jack had in her system?

<p>Australian freestyle swimmer Shayna Jack tested positive to the <a href="https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/science-medicine/prohibited-list-documents">banned substance</a> Ligandrol in <a href="https://theconversation.com/drafts/121097/edit">late June</a>, before competing at the <a href="http://www.fina.org/event/18th-fina-world-championships">world swimming championships</a> in South Korea this month.</p> <p>Jack said she <a href="https://7news.com.au/sport/swimming/shayna-jack-issues-new-statement-over-failed-drug-test-c-370056">did not knowingly take Ligandrol</a> but noted it could be found in contaminated supplements.</p> <p>Ligandrol can help repair and build muscles. While it has been studied as a treatment for cancer and other conditions where patients experience muscle weakness and wastage, it is banned for use by professional athletes.</p> <p>So how long has this drug been around, and how does it work?</p> <p><strong>History of Ligandrol</strong></p> <p>Ligandrol, which is also known by the development codes LGD-4033 and VK5211 and the name Anabolicum, was initially developed by the company <a href="https://www.ligand.com/">Ligand Pharmaceuticals</a> in the United States. It was <a href="https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/19/a8/9e/13c920a3dad32f/WO2009082437A2.pdf">patented in 2009</a>.</p> <p>The results of the first human clinical trial were published in 2013, where taking <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111291/">Ligandrol was found to increase muscle mass</a> without also putting on fat.</p> <p>The drug rights have since been licensed to the company <a href="https://www.vikingtherapeutics.com/">Viking Therapeutics</a>. In 2018, it completed a clinical trial which examined <a href="http://ir.vikingtherapeutics.com/2018-10-01-Viking-Therapeutics-Presents-Results-from-Phase-2-Study-of-VK5211-in-Patients-Recovering-from-Hip-Fracture-in-Plenary-Oral-Presentation-at-ASBMR-2018-Annual-Meeting">Ligandrol for people aged over 65 who were recovering from a hip fracture</a>. The results showed patients who took Ligandrol significantly increased their muscle mass and could walk further than patients not on the drug.</p> <p>The drug has also been examined for <a href="https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2050052118301100?token=DE618D928D8A7ECDEDBA37D3BB4BBB726AFD01C434FC7DE90430B108A4883C4E0EBE70D6B84A52B46128CE84B2FB4DE6">other conditions</a>, including as a possible treatment for cancer-related weight loss, enlarged prostates, for patients who have a diminished function of testes and ovaries, and as a potential cure for breast cancer.</p> <p>Ligandrol is still considered an experimental drug, and as such, is not approved for sale by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).</p> <p><strong>How Ligandrol works</strong></p> <p>Ligandrol is taken orally as a tablet at doses between 0.5 and 2 milligrams.</p> <p>The drug is what pharmacists call a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30503797">selective androgen receptor modulator</a> (SARM). These drugs bind at specific sites on skeletal muscles. There, they initiate a cascade of processes which change the expression of different genes in the DNA of muscle cells. The end effect is an increase in the repair and growth of muscle.</p> <p>This means Ligandrol works in a similar way to testosterone and anabolic steroids, although SARMs typically have fewer side effects. The typical side effects of anabolic steriods can include short-term aggression and violence, acne, and sleeping difficulties, and long-term effects such as damage to the liver and kidneys, depression, and high blood pressure.</p> <p>In contrast, in clinical trials of patients taking Ligandrol, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111291/">the rate of side effects was similar to those in the placebo group</a> and included headache and dry mouth. While clinical trial participants on Ligandrol did have a higher rate of throat infections, it was concluded this was not due to the drug.</p> <p>Ligandrol <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.2512">can be detected for up to 21 days</a> in the urine of those who take it.</p> <p><strong>In the news</strong></p> <p>Because Ligandrol can potentially be used to gain an advantage in competitive sports, the <a href="https://www.wada-ama.org/">World Anti-Doping Agency</a> (WADA) placed the drug on its <a href="https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/science-medicine/prohibited-list-documents">prohibited list</a>.</p> <p>Shayna Jack’s hypothesis that it must have entered her system through contaminated supplements is not without merit. The TGA regularly bans the import of supposedly natural supplements for <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/overseas-weight-loss-products">weight loss</a>, <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/liangzern-dietary-supplements">erectile dysfunction</a>, and body building because they contain prescription-only medicines.</p> <p>While there have been no instances of body building protein or sports supplements being adulterated with Ligandrol, there are reports of some <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12173">dietary supplements being spiked with anabolic steroids</a> and similar drugs.</p> <p>For safety and security, athletes should only use supplements from reputable brands bought from reliable stores in their home country. The risk of accidentally taking a banned substance is significant if an athlete buys supplements online.</p> <p><em>Written by Nial Wheate. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-ligandrol-the-drug-swimmer-shayna-jack-had-in-her-system-121097"><em>The Conversation</em></a><em>.</em></p>

Body

For sale: Olympic swimmer Samantha Riley's million-dollar Gold Coast mansion

<p><span>Swimming star Samantha Riley is taking her Gold Coast family home in Queenland to auction next month, for the second time this year.</span></p> <p><span>Her Burleigh Waters property also went to auction at the start of the year but failed to sell.</span></p> <p><span>Samantha and her husband, Tim Fydler, purchased the home for $1.25 million in 2006.</span></p> <p><span>“Sam and I have three boys and it’s been a great family house, we wanted a big block close to Burleigh beach,” said Tim.</span></p> <p><span>“We can ride the bikes to the beach or for a coffee, and there’s space for the kids to be outside and also on the water.”</span></p> <p><span>Since owning the home, the couple had made various changes, such as adding in a gym, a designer kitchen, a butler's pantry, solar panels and a BBQ area.</span></p> <p><span>The home also has white polished timber floors, a feature fireplace and a tropical fish tank.</span></p> <p><span>The waterfront alfresco wraps around the house and features an outdoor kitchen and a pizza oven. The backyard also features a pool perfect for a swimming champion.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s now a real entertainer, we’ve had everyone around to enjoy the space and the waterfront, with the boat running around out the back for the kids,” said Tim.</span></p> <p><span>In the meantime, the family are planning to downsize and move close to the beach.</span></p> <p><span>“When you clean the house up and get it ready for sale, it really makes you think, ‘Why are we selling?’,” said Tim.</span></p> <p><span>“We’ve been happy in that house for a long time, but we’re looking forward to the next part of our lives.</span></p> <p><span> Scroll through the gallery above to see inside the stunning property. </span></p>

Domestic Travel

Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney’s scare: “Last night was the most terrifying moment of my life”

<p><span>Former Olympic swimmer Giaan Roonery has opened up about the “terrifying” scare she had on Tuesday night, when her 11-month-old daughter, Lexi, stopped breathing.</span></p> <p><span>On Instagram, Giaan explained how her daughter’s survival was because of the quick actions made by her and her husband, Sam Levett.</span></p> <p><span>“Last night was the most terrifying moment of my life,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span>“Our 11-month-old, Lexi, had a seizure, stopped breathing and turned blue.”</span></p> <p><span>Thankfully, Giaan and her husband took an infant CPR course when her four-year-old son, Zander, was first born.</span></p> <p><span>The 35-year-old mum said “despite the panic” what they'd been taught in the course “kicked back in”.</span></p> <p><span>“My amazing husband gave Lexi CPR as I called an ambulance and talked to the operator,” Giaan explained.</span></p> <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BjGig3pjmtq/" target="_blank">A post shared by Giaan Rooney (@giaan.rooney)</a> on May 22, 2018 at 6:52pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>On Wednesday afternoon, Giaan shared that the family were still in hospital awaiting test results.</span></p> <p><span>Doctors believe the seizure was caused by a virus that dramatically raised Lexi’s temperature. Giaan shared the news that her little girl’s health is now “out of danger”.</span></p> <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BhVji3_DsL7/" target="_blank">A post shared by Giaan Rooney (@giaan.rooney)</a> on Apr 8, 2018 at 9:46pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>After the major scare, Giaan urged other parents to learn or re-learn CPR.</span></p> <p><span>“Please, if you have children or are around kids often, brush up on your CPR skills, hoping you never need it, but prepared if you do.”</span></p> <p><span>According to St John’s Ambulance, less than one in three parents can confidently perform CPR on a child if required.</span></p> <p><span>CPR and children’s first aid courses can be done through the Australian Red Cross as well as other providers.</span></p>

Caring

Former swimmer Geoff Huegill’s wife charged with shoplifting

<p>Former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill’s wife, Sara, has been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Bryon Bay boutique.</p> <p>Sara has been accused of stealing $2500 leather pants from the high-end boutique Island Luxe, reported <em><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/geoff-huegills-wife-sara-caught-stealing-a-pair-of-2500-pants-at-a-byron-bay-boutique/news-story/217f757b83d1e9ea785c0f12659f55df" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Daily Telegraph</strong></span></a>.</em></p> <p>The alleged theft occurred on Sunday afternoon, when the mother-of-two and former publicist allegedly put a pair of leather trousers in a large handbag and walked out of the store.</p> <p>NSW Police confirmed to news.com.au that a 34-year-old woman had been arrested on Fletcher Street in Byron Bay, over an alleged theft on Sunday.</p> <p>She was taken to Byron Bay Police Station and issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for shoplifting, a police spokeswoman revealed.</p> <p>The property was recovered and returned to the boutique.</p> <p>She will face Byron Bay local court on June 7.</p> <p> In 2014, Geoff and Sara were charged with drug possession after they were found snorting cocaine at Randwick races.</p> <p>Police who were patrolling the venue were called to a suite in the grandstand by a security guard.</p> <p>The couple were caught with a small quantity of white powder and were later both placed on a six-month good behaviour bond. </p>

Legal

Inside Olympic swimmer Samantha Riley's $2.8 million waterfront mansion

<p>Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist Samantha Riley has emerged as the buyer of a “dream home” on the Gold Coast, snapping up the waterfront property on Palm Beach with husband Tim Fydler for a cool $2.875 million.</p> <p>The couple snapped up the property two weeks before it was supposed to hit the market and have since put their Burleigh Waters home for sale, hoping to fetch $2 million.</p> <p>Their new home features water views from every room, a pool, executive office, waterfront balcony, media lounge room and a spacious family room.</p> <p><strong>Scroll through the gallery above to check it out</strong>.</p> <p>Could you ever see yourself living in a property like this?</p>

Domestic Travel

Hilarious moment reporter falls into pool interviewing swimmers at Commonwealth Games

<p>BBC presenter Mike Bushell has suffered the hilarious misfortune of falling into a swimming pool live on air. </p> <p>Bushell was preparing to interview the England Commonwealth Games swimmers Sarah Vasey, Adam Peaty, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Ben Proud and James Guy, who were sitting on the edge of a pool.</p> <p>As he enters the shallow water, he even pre-empts himself, murmuring, “I’m going to be careful because I’ve got a sound pack on.”</p> <p>But he fails to notice there’s another step in the pool and soon finds himself completely submerged.</p> <p>“Congratulations,” he tells the sports stars, before slipping and shouting: “Whoops, I didn’t see the step.”</p> <p>Try as they might (although they don’t seem to try that hard), the swim team can’t help but laugh at the blunder.</p> <p>As the professional he is, Bushell tries valiantly to maintain his composure and continue the interview.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zx2W59q_KNM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>In the BBC Breakfast studio, presenters Charlie Stayt and Louise Minchin look on with mirth, with Stayt noting: “Mike is carrying on talking but we can’t hear him, because a moment ago Mike fell in the water, his pack went in, and he doesn’t know we can’t hear him now.</p> <p>“Bye, Mike, it hasn’t been dull.”</p> <p>Minchin said: “If you were going to set that up, you would imagine that might happen, and it did – live on national television. Mike fell in the pool.”</p> <p>They later returned to Bushell, who said: “I just thought it was a little Jacuzzi or a kids’ pool.</p> <p>“I didn’t realise there was a step there.</p> <p> </p>

News

"Total legend": Australia falls in love with swimmer's dad

<p>Ariarne Titmus might have claimed a silver medal in the final of the women’s 200m freestyle, but her father cheering in the stands has become a new national icon.</p> <p>The 17-year-old was just 0.04 seconds from snatching a gold medal from Canadian Taylor Ruck, and a quick look at her father in the stands shows just how close she came to history.</p> <p>Steve Titmus, a former Tasmanian cricketer, captured the imagination of Australians watching at home with his over-the-top cheering from the grandstand bleachers.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">How good is this!? Steve Titmus is mic'd up watching his daughter win silver at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GC2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GC2018</a>. What do you think his heart rate hit in that last 10m? 😂<br /><br />FYI Steve used to be a 7News presenter in Tasmania! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7CommGames?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7CommGames</a> <a href="https://t.co/40h0UgKN5q">pic.twitter.com/40h0UgKN5q</a></p> — 7CommGames (@7CommGames) <a href="https://twitter.com/7CommGames/status/981838814636208128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>The proud parent was wearing a microphone from Channel 7, and cameras captured the special moment as he watched his daughter come within a hair of history.</p> <p>“C’mon Annie, C’mon Annie,” he says.</p> <p>“Good turn, now. F***, yes, good turn. Push. Push of that wall. Push. Go Annie. Go. Go Annie. Keep going now. Go. Go Annie, c’mon. Faster, faster. Go, go. Woo. Yes. Wooo.”</p> <p>Titmus might’ve fallen agonisingly short but her father seemed proud of her performance, and Australians watching at home loved the glimpse at the parent.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">That footage of Titmus' dad riding her home in that last 50m will be played for years to come. GOLD. Well Silver, but GOLD. Tell me it doesn't mean anything. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GC2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GC2018</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GC2018Swimming?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GC2018Swimming</a></p> — Andrew Bryan (@AndrewBryan321) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewBryan321/status/981837738939899906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Loving <a href="https://twitter.com/7Sport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7Sport</a> secondary camera on the Titmus family's reaction to Ariarne Titmus's 2nd place in the 200m free. Great telie.</p> — Annette Sharp (@InSharpRelief) <a href="https://twitter.com/InSharpRelief/status/981838811691810819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>What are your thoughts? Have you been watching the Commonwealth Games?</p>

Technology

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Desperate search after Aussie man swept out to sea while saving swimmer

Swimmer drowns unnoticed during event

Aussie swimmer pays tribute to late father on the winner's podium

For a century, it’s been illegal to swim in the Seine. Will Paris’s clean-up make the river safe for Olympic swimmers?

"An absolute hero": 10-year-old boy rescues drowning swimmer

“Never be forgotten”: Uncle of NRL star drowns while saving swimmers

"Letting you in on a little secret": Olympic swimmer finds love

Dramatic underwater rescue of unconscious swimmer captured in photographs

Historic change made for transgender swimmers

Anti-trans billboard featuring Aussie swimmers comes under fire

“Australia straight-up cheated”: Why the US are not happy with our swimmers

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack learns fate on career-ending doping ban

Swimmer bitten on head by saltwater crocodile

What is Ligandrol – the drug swimmer Shayna Jack had in her system?

For sale: Olympic swimmer Samantha Riley's million-dollar Gold Coast mansion

Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney’s scare: “Last night was the most terrifying moment of my life”

Former swimmer Geoff Huegill’s wife charged with shoplifting

Inside Olympic swimmer Samantha Riley's $2.8 million waterfront mansion

Hilarious moment reporter falls into pool interviewing swimmers at Commonwealth Games

"Total legend": Australia falls in love with swimmer's dad

Our Partners