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Australia's most decorated Olympian drops huge news

<p>Australia's most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon has announced her retirement from swimming on Monday. </p> <p>After an incredible career that spanned across three Olympics and yielded 14 Olympic medals, including six golds, the Olympic champion announced her retirement from the pool in a social media post. </p> <p>"Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming," shared on Instagram.</p> <p>"Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming."</p> <p>"I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally," she continued. </p> <p>"I wanted to see what I was capable of - and I did. Swimming has given me so much. From the dream igniting at 5 years old, right through to my third Olympic Games - I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for."</p> <p>Mckeon made her Olympic debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016, winning gold as a member of the women's 4x100 freestyle relay team and claiming four medals overall. </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/reel/DCxSXAXyE7r/?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/DCxSXAXyE7r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Emma McKeon (@emmamckeon)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In 2020, during the Tokyo Olympics she took over as Australia's most decorated Olympian, a title that was previously held by Ian Thorpe, after bringing home four gold medals by triumphing in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay. </p> <p>She won seven medals in total in the 2020 Olympics. </p> <p>In this year's Paris Olympics, she brought home another three  medals including one gold as a member of Australia's 4x100m freestyle team.</p> <p>"Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me, and cheered me on. THANKYOU," McKeon said in her post.</p> <p>"Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store."</p> <p>Beyond the Olympics, McKeon has been an eight-time world record holder in relay events with three current and five former records. </p> <p>She has also won 14 gold medals across the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games. </p> <p>Swimming Australia chief executive Rob Woodhouse, who is McKeon's uncle, praised the Olympic champion. </p> <p>"Emma will be remembered in the same vein as Dawn [Fraser], Shane [Gould], Susie [O'Neill] and Murray [Rose], Kieren [Perkins] and Thorpey [Ian Thorpe] — that she was one of our greatest," Woodhouse said in a Swimming Australia statement.</p> <p>"From a personal point of view, watching her Tokyo campaign and in particular watching her win gold in the 100m freestyle was one of the greatest races I have ever watched, but I have also loved watching her advocate for those coming up through the ranks.</p> <p>"She will also be remembered for how she represented swimming. The standards she set in and out of the water were second to none, and she has a lifelong love of the sport, so she won't be disappearing from swimming."</p> <p><em>Images: DAVE HUNT/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Australian beachgoers are told to always ‘swim between the flags’ – but what if there aren’t any?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rob-brander-111027">Rob Brander</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p>This summer, millions of people will flock to Australia’s beaches – and tragically, not all will survive. Last summer, 54 people <a href="https://issuu.com/surflifesavingaustralia/docs/slsa_summerdrowningreport_2022.23">drowned</a> along the Australian coast. This included 28 people in New South Wales – the highest number in the state’s recorded history.</p> <p>About 80% of the drownings occurred at beaches and almost half were due to people caught in offshore flowing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012825216303117">rip currents</a>.</p> <p>Crucially, all of these drownings occurred in locations not patrolled by professional lifeguards or volunteer surf lifesavers. That is a stark statistic.</p> <p>The core safety message promoted to beachgoers is to always “swim between the flags” on patrolled beaches. But clearly, unpatrolled beaches represent the major beach safety challenge in Australia – and this must be addressed.</p> <h2>All drownings are preventable</h2> <p>A <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023000961">recent study</a> showed coastal drowning rates in Australia did not change between 2004 and 2021. This was despite significant financial investment into coastal safety by all levels of government during this time.</p> <p>And in 2023, the NSW government <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/splash-for-surf-life-saving-as-patrol-season-begins">announced</a> the biggest ever funding commitment to Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) – A$23 million over four years.</p> <p>This raises important questions for both beach safety providers and their funding bodies. Are we doing enough to address the issue of drowning on unpatrolled beaches? Why aren’t we seeing a decrease in the number and rate of beach drowning? Is the current approach working? Are we doing enough evaluation?</p> <p>These questions need to be answered because beach drowning, like all types of drowning, is preventable.</p> <h2>The ‘swim between the flags’ message is not enough</h2> <p>The safest place to swim on Australian beaches is between the red and yellow flags, under the supervision of trained lifeguards and surf lifesavers. This is the core safety message promoted to beachgoers, and should always take precedent.</p> <p>But it’s unrealistic to assume beachgoers will always adhere to the message – in part, because the flags and lifeguards aren’t everywhere at all times.</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/02/ai-rip-detection-technology-australia-beach-safety-drownings#:%7E:text=Fewer%20than%205%25%20of%20Australia%27s,is%20unpatrolled%20or%20temporarily%20unpatrolled.">Less than 5%</a> of Australia’s 11,000 beaches are patrolled, and most of those are patrolled only seasonally. Patrols rarely cover early mornings and evenings when many people choose to swim, and the supervised flagged area may only cover a tiny percentage of the length of the beach.</p> <p>A <a href="https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/22/909/2022/">recent study</a> documented why beachgoers swim at unpatrolled beaches. The reasons included proximity to their holiday accommodation and because the location is quieter and less crowded than patrolled beaches.</p> <p>So while most Australians know they should swim between the flags, many choose not to, or simply don’t have the option. This can have fatal consequences. Surf Life Saving Australia’s latest National Coastal Safety Report <a href="https://issuu.com/surflifesavingaustralia/docs/ncsr23?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ">report</a> reported that 75% of the 902 coastal drowning deaths over the previous decade occurred more than 1km from a surf lifesaving service.</p> <h2>Getting it right</h2> <p>There’s an obvious need in Australia for a beach safety campaign that directly addresses safety on unpatrolled beaches. But we have to get it right – and taking an evidence-based approach is crucial.</p> <p>For example, it seems logical to teach beachgoers how to identify dangerous rip currents. But <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278434322000760?casa_token=pYdktxnHyagAAAAA:mBxg-eaXyKJUNDOCJWFSntEcDV7jE6uDEg0bRxugetG7rHelw-_v8zuEXPwUKoGxkL-DNYI">research has shown</a> that people armed with this knowledge might become emboldened to swim at unpatrolled beaches.</p> <p>In 2018, Surf Life Saving Australia launched the “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47ML57SPyk">Think Line</a>” campaign, which encourages beachgoers to spend a few minutes thinking about beach safety when they arrive at the beach. It’s a simple concept that could become generational over time. But it requires more promotion, more collaboration between beach safety providers, and more research into whether the message is changing beachgoer behaviour in a positive way.</p> <p>Other efforts to improve safety on unpatrolled beaches include investment in technology such as <a href="https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/emergency-response-beacons/#:%7E:text=The%20ERB%20uses%20the%20latest,reassurance%20in%20an%20emergency%20situation.">emergency response beacons</a>. However, to date there’s been little to no evidence-based evaluation of their effectiveness.</p> <p>Research into beach safety is a powerful tool. It provides evidence that can identify which educational approaches are working and which are not. Yet, funding of beach safety research pales in comparison to the amounts invested in untested safety interventions, or upgrades to existing surf club facilities and equipment.</p> <p>It’s globally accepted that lifeguards are the best beach safety intervention. So why aren’t we directing more funding into increasing the presence of local government lifeguard services?</p> <p>This expansion should involve extending lifeguard patrol hours during the summer on patrolled beaches and adding seasonal lifeguards on popular but hazardous unpatrolled beaches.</p> <h2>Staying safe this summer</h2> <p>Preventing drownings on our beaches requires a new approach – and some serious questions about where funding should be best directed. Otherwise, the terrible drowning death toll will continue.</p> <p>In the meantime, you might find yourself wanting to swim at an unpatrolled beach this summer, or to swim early in the morning before lifeguards start duty. To help you understand the hazards and stay safe, UNSW Sydney has developed a new <a href="https://news.unsw.edu.au/en/if-in-doubt--don-t-go-out">educational resource</a>, including a <a href="https://youtu.be/3qXDBvO8mdc">video</a>. They are both worth a look; in fact, they may just save a life.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/220043/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qXDBvO8mdc?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rob-brander-111027">R<em>ob Brander</em></a><em>, Professor, UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</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/australian-beachgoers-are-told-to-always-swim-between-the-flags-but-what-if-there-arent-any-220043">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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"It's a miracle that I'm living": Victory dance for Aussie Paralympic superstar

<p>Alexa Leary has emerged victorious at the Paralympic Games with a gold medal, three years after her life was changed from a horrific bike crash.</p> <p>In July 2021, Alexa was on a bike ride training as a triathlete when her front wheel clipped a bike in front of her, sending her flying form her bike at 70 kilometres an hour. </p> <p>Leary then underwent lifesaving surgery after the crash shattered her skull and left her unable to walk or talk, and spent 111 days in hospital. </p> <p>Now, the 23-year-old from the Sunshine Coast broke her own 100m freestyle world record on Thursday morning, walking away with a gold medal. </p> <p>"It's been a long, rough journey for me," Leary said at the Paris La Defense Arena.</p> <p>"It's a miracle that I'm living, and I'm walking and I'm talking. I was told that I never would three years ago, and I've just come so far."</p> <p>"I am so impressed with myself. I'm like, 'Lex, look how far you've actually come'.</p> <p>"It's not sad to talk about, but it's an emotional thing. My family is the reason why I'm here, and they're up there [in the stands] looking at me. Honestly, it's amazing."</p> <p>Alexa, who still struggles with memory problems and regulating her emotions, then shared how she kept at it in the pool as a recovery tool after her life-changing surgery, but found herself wanting to keep bettering her athletic ability. </p> <p>"I'm a passionate person," Alexa said after winning solo Paralympic gold.</p> <p>"When I want it, I'm going to go out and do it. I have to.</p> <p>"So I wanted to keep swimming for recovery. But I was like, 'Nah, I'm more than that!'."</p> <p>Alexa's parents, Belinda and Russ, watched their daughter's extraordinary win from the sidelines, reflecting on the haunting memories of Alexa's journey in hospital and how she came out the other side.</p> <p>Russ said, "I reckon she wanted that [gold medal] in her belly for three years. She wanted it. She got it. Unbelievable."</p> <p>Belinda added, "She's the same girl [post-accident], but everything's heightened, but all she ever wanted was to show people that anything is possible."</p> <p>"And what she's been through over the last three years, her thing is with a TBI [traumatic brain injury] anything is possible."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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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

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Commentator sacked after sexist comment on Aussie swim team

<p>EuroSport commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from his duties following a controversial remark directed at Australia's women's 4x100m freestyle relay team. The incident occurred as the team celebrated their gold medal win on Sunday.</p> <p>During the medal ceremony, Ballard made a comment that quickly drew widespread criticism: "Well, the women just finishing up," he said. "You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their make-up." Despite attempting to laugh off the remark, his co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, immediately labelled it "outrageous". The comment soon went viral, leading to swift action from EuroSport.</p> <p>By Monday morning, EuroSport had announced that Ballard was relieved of his commentary duties. In a statement, the network said, "During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."</p> <p>Ballard is a seasoned broadcaster with a career spanning several decades and multiple Olympic Games.</p> <p>The incident overshadowed what was a celebratory moment for Australian fans. The quartet of Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris clinched gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay with a time of 3:28.92, continuing Australia's dominance in the event for the fourth consecutive Olympics.</p> <p>As the Paris Olympics continue, Ballard will be watching from the sidelines, his remarks coming at a time when the International Olympic Committee is promoting the Games as "The Equal Games".</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter (X) | Paul Kitagaki, Jr/ZUMA Press Wire | Shutterstock</em></p>

TV

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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&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;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&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=378&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=378&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=378&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=475&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=475&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/606823/original/file-20240715-17-kajph6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=475&amp;fit=crop&amp;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.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></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

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Father and grandfather drown after rescuing toddler

<p>The father and grandfather of a two-year-old have tragically died after jumping into a hotel pool to save the toddler from drowning. </p> <p>On Easter Sunday evening, Dharmvir Singh, 38, and his 65-year-old father Gurjinder Singh drowned in the pool at the Top of the Mark Holiday Apartments in Surfer's Paradise when Dharmvir’s two-year-old child fell into the pool.</p> <p>The family members, who had travelled from Victoria to Queensland for their holiday, jumped in to save the two-year-old, although none of the family could swim. </p> <p>While the mother and child were both able to return to safety, Dharmvir and Gurjinder both died in the rescue.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the Queensland hotel where the men were found unconscious, as paramedics performed CPR and attempted to revive the men but were unsuccessful. </p> <p>The mother and toddler were taken to hospital, and did not need any further treatment. </p> <p>Mitchell Ware from Queensland Ambulance Service said it was an “extremely emotional scene”.</p> <p>“Obviously, anyone could understand that not just to lose one family member but to lose two family members,” he said, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13258481/Top-Mark-Holiday-Apartments-Surfers-Paradise-drowning-Father-grandfather-killed-rescuing-toddler.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Daily Mail</em>.</a></p> <p>"I will just reiterate to the community to exercise due care, especially if you're not a strong swimmer, and especially if there's young children around, that you are really careful because we know that children and even adults can drown in a matter of seconds."</p> <p><em>Image credits: ABC</em></p>

Caring

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"The greatest miracle": Swimming legend's heartwarming family news

<p>Australian swimming legend Ellie Cole has celebrated the "unexpected" arrival of her baby boy. </p> <p>The Paralympic swimming champion took to Instagram to share the news of her son's birth, who arrived three weeks before his due date. </p> <p>Sharing a sweet photo of the new bub wrapped in his hospital blanket, the 32-year-old mum expressed basked in the joy of motherhood. </p> <p>“They say when your own child is born, it is one of the greatest miracles you could ever hope for,” she wrote.</p> <p>“We are feeling so blessed - Felix Parker Cole joined our family this morning, unexpectedly, three weeks early."</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/C29McEDhHb0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/C29McEDhHb0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ellie Cole (@elliecoleswim)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“We know that he will make us see the world in an entirely different way. Welcome to the world, little Felix. All we see is you.”</p> <p>Aussie swimming great Libby Trickett was one of several high-profile stars to pass on their congratulations, while former swimming champ and Seven TV presenter Joh Griggs said, “Oh massive congratulations. How wonderful ❤️❤️❤️”.</p> <p>Cole is Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian who dominated the pool for years before her retirement in 2022, not long after her third Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.</p> <p>In four Paralympics she won 17 medals, including six gold, and at the Comm Games she won one silver and three bronze medals.</p> <p>She recently received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award in the Australia Day honours in January.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images </em></p> <p class="css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word; margin: 0px 0px 1.125rem; line-height: 25px; font-size: 1.125rem; font-family: HeyWow, Montserrat, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; caret-color: #292a33; color: #292a33;"> </p>

Family & Pets

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Why does my hair turn green from the swimming pool?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/magdalena-wajrak-1432339">Magdalena Wajrak</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p>If you are a blonde like me and enjoy laps in a swimming pool, you may have noticed your hair acquires a green tint after frequent swims in chlorinated water.</p> <p>This happens to both bleached and natural blondes. In fact, the green tinge happens to everyone, but it’s less visible on dark hair and those whose hair isn’t damaged by chemical treatments such as bleaching.</p> <p>But what exactly causes this green discoloration, and what can we do about it? Most of us blame the chlorine in the pool water. However, although chlorine does play a part, it is not the main culprit.</p> <h2>Which chemicals in the pool turn the hair green?</h2> <p>The element to blame for the green staining of hair is copper.</p> <p>The main source of copper is copper sulfate (CuSO₄), a compound added to swimming pools to prevent the growth of algae. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568988320301803?via%3Dihub">Contact with algae</a> can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues, and ingesting water with algae can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems. Only a small amount (around 0.5mg per litre or 0.5 parts per million) of copper sulfate is needed to prevent algal growth.</p> <p>However, copper can also enter swimming pools through the corrosion of water pipes, so concentrations may be higher in some pools.</p> <p>Copper sulfate crystals are greenish-blue in colour. So, when hair comes into contact with copper ions – a positively charged variant of a copper atom with extra electrons – those ions get absorbed by the hair and cause the greenish hue.</p> <p>Scientists were fascinated by the green “pool hair” phenomenon as far back as the 1970s, so we actually have research data on copper being the cause.</p> <p>One very <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/538197">interesting study in 1978</a> performed experiments by immersing hair samples into water containing different concentrations of copper ions, chlorine and various pH values (neutral and basic). Their results showed hair exposed to free copper ions does turn green.</p> <p>Furthermore, when hair is oxidised (meaning electrons are removed from the hair proteins) by chlorine, it actually damages the hair, enhancing the absorption of copper ions. Hair submerged in water with chlorine but without copper ions did not turn green. Meanwhile, hair exposed to water with only copper ions and no chlorine still formed a green colour.</p> <p>Hence, chlorine by itself does not play a role in causing the green hue we see in “pool hair”, but it does exacerbate it.</p> <h2>So, how does copper get into the hair?</h2> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0943-7_24">Other research teams</a> have conducted <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/ch9682437">more extensive studies</a>, using sophisticated instruments, such as scanning electron microscopy, to examine how exactly copper ions attach to the hair.</p> <p>Our hair is predominantly composed of protein called keratin. Keratin is classified as a “structural fibrous protein”, meaning it has an elongated, sheet-like structure.</p> <p>The keratin structure is composed of various <a href="https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_Kentucky/UK%3A_CHE_103_-_Chemistry_for_Allied_Health_(Soult)/Chapters/Chapter_4%3A_Structure_and_Function/4.4%3A_Functional_Groups">chemical groups</a> (types of atom groupings with similar properties), such as carboxyl groups, amino groups and disulfide groups. Copper ions have the ability to form bonds with these groups, forming a copper-keratin complex. This complex remains in the hair, causing it to appear green.</p> <p>Interestingly, the most recent study <a href="https://doi.org/10.32657/10356/142466">conducted in 2020</a>, showed copper ions mainly bind to the disulfide groups. This study also found other metal ions such as zinc, lead, chromium and mercury also bind to hair in the same way. This is very useful in <a href="https://theconversation.com/forensic-breakthrough-study-suggests-humans-can-be-identified-by-the-proteins-in-their-hair-65051">forensic analysis</a>, for example, because forensic scientists can analyse hair samples to determine if a person has been exposed to a particular metal.</p> <p>Light-coloured hair already has the most visible green discoloration, but research has shown that damaged hair, caused by bleaching, straightening, or exposure to sun, is the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19586601/">most susceptible</a> to the binding of copper ions. This is because in damaged hair the disulfide groups have “broken bonds” (the link that holds the elements within these groups together is broken), making it easier for the copper ions to bind to the hair.</p> <h2>Can I prevent the green colour or get rid of it?</h2> <p>To prevent your hair from turning green in a swimming pool, you have two basic options. The first is a physical barrier – just wear a swim cap.</p> <p>The second option is chemical – you can pre-treat your hair with an alkaline shampoo. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891584918310050">Studies have shown</a> under alkaline pH conditions, the copper ions won’t attach to the hair. To treat your hair before going to the pool, you can either use a shampoo with a pH higher than 7, or you can even try mixing some baking soda into your regular shampoo.</p> <p>But what can you do if your hair has already turned greenish? Well, you can try washing your hair with a shampoo designed to achieve this, typically marketed as a “chlorine removal” shampoo. These products contain a chemical called EDTA – it can bind to metal ions (such as copper) and thus will remove copper from the hair.</p> <p>You may have heard tomato sauce or ketchup is a good way to get the green out of your pool hair – potentially because the red pigments are supposed to “cancel out” the green ones. However, I’m not aware of any scientific evidence this would work.</p> <p><em>Correction: This article has been amended to clarify that alkaline shampoos have a pH higher than 7, not lower.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/211736/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/magdalena-wajrak-1432339"><em>Magdalena Wajrak</em></a><em>, Senior lecturer, Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image </em><em>credits: Getty Images</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/why-does-my-hair-turn-green-from-the-swimming-pool-211736">original article</a>.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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“How is this funny?”: Tourist slammed over “disrespectful” act at Graceland

<p dir="ltr">An arrogant traveller has been slammed online after blatantly disregarding signage at Graceland, and taking a dip in the pool. </p> <p dir="ltr">A woman posted a video from the late Elvis Presley’s iconic property in Memphis, Tennessee, as she travelled to the area with her husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">Capturing the moment and sharing it online as a joke, a video posted to the woman’s TikTok account shows her husband, dressed in shorts, shoes and socks climbing over a pool fence, marked 'RESTRICTED AREA'.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man is then seen walking towards the diving board as a security guard rushes towards him.</p> <p dir="ltr">After wobbling a bit on the diving board, he jumps into the water before the guard can stop him.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman captured the video, "My husband jumped into Elvis pool", adding a laughing emoji.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the couple’s jovial nature over the stunt, many people were quick to condemn the tourists and their video, which has been viewed over 14 million times. </p> <p dir="ltr">"How is this funny? People are so disrespectful and I hope he got arrested," one person commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As someone who has solid respect for Elvis Presley this is very disrespectful to him and his family," another agreed.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Travellers doing whatever they want as usual. Shame," another person commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the overwhelming condemnation, there were some who defended the man’s actions, with one person writing, "I think Elvis would have done the same thing lol."</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman also responded to the accusations that her husband's actions were disrespectful in another video, saying, "Elvis caught someone jumping into his pool once and he never stopped them. He never got them arrested. Told them to stay in the pool. That's what a pool is meant for is to jump into."</p> <p dir="ltr">One person quickly responded, "Whether people think 'Elvis would be laughing' or not it's all down to respect. There's a reason as to why certain areas are roped off."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Swimming legend Susie O'Neill breaks world record at 50 years of age

<p>Susie O'Neill has broken a world record at the age of 50 in a triumphant return to international swimming at the World Masters Swimming Championships in Japan.</p> <p>The two-time Olympic gold medallist won the 50m butterfly, breaking the world record and championship record for the 50-54 age group. </p> <p>She touched out Britain’s Michelle Ware record by 0.52sec, with a time of 29.08 seconds, securing gold for her age group. </p> <p>The swimmer nicknamed Madame Butterfly during her career, proved that she's still got it after winning her first competition and butterfly race since the Sydney Olympics in 2000.</p> <p>This comes two months after she set another record when she swam an excellent time at the Masters championships in Queensland as part of her 50th birthday celebrations, which qualified her for the world championships. </p> <p>She agreed to compete at the relay event in the Masters championships to celebrate her 50th, with her <em>Nova 106.9 Breakfast </em>co-hosts Ash Bradnam and David Lutteral, plus one of their listeners.</p> <p>In a post-swim interview O'Neill told her co-hosts: “I felt like vomiting at the end to be honest,” </p> <p>“In the olden days I was nervous before the race, but I was calmer when I went out behind the block. This was like the opposite. I was calm before, but as I walked out behind the blocks I got a bit dishevelled compared to normal. Really jittery.</p> <p>“It was time to go out, and my goggles had come apart. My hands were shaking - and I couldn’t put my goggles on because they came apart at the nose-piece.</p> <p>“So, I had to get a lady to help me, and the girl that I ended up just beating was trying to calm me down. My nerves hit me really, really badly.”</p> <p>“I got a massive surge of adrenaline, and I reckon it helped me,” she said.</p> <p>O'Neill added that she initially didn't realise she had broken a record. </p> <p>“I wasn’t sure when I first finished.”</p> <p>Despite the challenges, the swimming legend relished in the camaraderie with a few swimmers that she had met in the past. </p> <p>“I met so many people in the marshalling area that I knew. For example, there was a Canadian girl in that race, and we swapped clothes in 1989 when we came to Japan for the Pan Pacific Games,” she said. </p> <p>The swimmer told Channel 7’s <em>Sunrise </em>that this was a one-off and she has no plans to continue racing. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Body

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Mysterious liquid turns popular rock pool green

<p>A mysterious liquid has turned a popular public rock pool at Cronulla beach fluorescent green.</p> <p>The liquid, believed to be a natural fluorescent dye, fluorescein, was seen pouring into the usually clear waters of the pool on Friday.</p> <p>The dye is often used to help experts track the flow of water to identify any leaks and has low toxicity, which means it is harmless despite the daunting colour.</p> <p>“We believe the discolouration is likely to be fluorescein dye, which is commonly used in plumbing/drain testing and dissipates quickly once diluted,” a spokesperson for the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority said.</p> <p>According to Australian dye manufacturer, Tintex, the dye is also used to “locate leaks in plumbing, tracing pipe locations, detect drain damage and water pathways,” and is odourless and non-toxic to the environment.</p> <p>However, in a safety data sheet, Tintex has also warned about the potential health effects which include eye irritation, skin irritation, irritation of the digestive tract and respiratory tract irritation.</p> <p>Many locals are cautious despite the claim that the dye is mostly harmless.</p> <p>One user wrote on a Facebook page for Cronulla locals that dye was “legal to use in a stormwater drain”.</p> <p>“Doesn’t look good whatever it is,” another responded, while other cautious residents replied that they wouldn’t swim in the area until the dye fully dissipates.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Can all dogs swim? What to know before taking your pup for a dip

<h2>Do dogs like to swim?</h2> <p>That depends. “Some dogs like to swim on their own, as they enjoy the water,” says veterinarian Dr Amber Karwacki. Other dogs might follow you into the water even if they don’t like it for the sheer enjoyment of being next to you. And if that doesn’t pull at your heartstrings, this will: Some loyal dog breeds overcome their aversion to water because they think you’re in danger. “If your dog is protective, they will do things they normally would not to keep you safe,” says Dr Karwacki.</p> <h2>Can all dogs swim?</h2> <p>It’s impossible not to associate the doggy paddle with dogs swimming. After all, that’s where we get the basic swimming technique from. Yet not all dogs can swim. Some don’t have the desire to be in or near the water, while other breeds might find swimming difficult or impossible. “These include any of the brachycephalic, or ‘smushed nose’ breeds, and dogs with long bodies and short legs such as corgis, dachshunds and basset hounds,” says veterinarian Dr Kelly Diehl.</p> <p>The good news is that dogs without natural swimming instincts can be taught with lessons, and you can keep them safe by putting them in a doggy life jacket. But can all dogs swim if they have swimming lessons? If your pup isn’t showing any interest or appears anxious in or around water, it might be better to stay on dry land.</p> <h2>Which dogs are natural swimmers?</h2> <p>Several dog breeds are inherently drawn to water. “They tend to be breeds that were bred to work in and around water,” says Dr Diehl. If these top-notch swimmers had résumés, their roles would span from heroic water rescues to hunting and retrieving to working with humans in and around boats. Still, genetic makeup isn’t a guarantee. Some descendants of well-known water-loving breeds may never want to dip their paws in for one reason or another. That said, the most common dog breeds known for swimming include:</p> <ul> <li>Labrador retriever</li> <li>Newfoundland</li> <li>Standard poodle</li> <li>Golden retriever</li> <li>Portuguese water dog</li> <li>Otterhound</li> <li>Spanish water dog</li> <li>English setter</li> <li>Irish water spaniel</li> <li>American water spaniel</li> <li>Chesapeake Bay retriever</li> <li>Barbet</li> <li>Boykin spaniel</li> <li>Curly-coated retriever</li> <li>Flat-coated retriever</li> <li>Lagotto Romagnolo</li> </ul> <h2>Which dogs can’t swim?</h2> <p>Certain breeds simply can’t doggy paddle like others due to their physical characteristics. “Dogs with shorter legs like dachshunds, rounder chests like pugs or denser muscle mass like bull terriers cannot swim,” says Dr Karwacki. Shorter legs, long bodies or barrel-shaped bodies struggle with staying afloat. And flat-faced breeds, like pugs, can easily get water up their noses and struggle to breathe, especially while exerting themselves swimming.</p> <p>Other issues? The thick and dense coats some dogs sport aren’t waterproof or water-repellent, so they get heavy in the water. And generally, most toy dog breeds, bred to be affectionate and cuddly, tend to favour a cosy lap over swimming laps.</p> <p>Here are some of the breeds that prefer a belly rub to a belly flop:</p> <ul> <li>Pug</li> <li>Dachshund</li> <li>Bull terrier</li> <li>Bassett hound</li> <li>French bulldog</li> <li>Boxer</li> <li>Pekingese</li> <li>Corgi</li> <li>Shih Tzu</li> <li>Chow chow</li> <li>Sharpei</li> <li>Staffordshire bull terrier</li> </ul> <h2>How do you know if a dog can swim?</h2> <p>OK, now you know how to answer the question: Can all dogs swim? But how do you know if your dog can swim? Regardless of whether you have a water-loving dog, a cute mixed breed or a super mutt, the first step is figuring out if your pup has any interest in playing or swimming in the water. “Walk around shallow water, wade in a little and see if they follow,” says Dr Diehl. If they’re not interested, invite some doggy friends to join or hit up a dog park with a designated swim area for pups. “One of my own Labrador retrievers was not enthusiastic but fell right in with the crowd when she saw other dogs swimming,” Dr Diehl adds.</p> <p>Once they are in a depth of water where paddling is necessary, watch them closely. Dogs instinctively know how to dog paddle, but dogs with little or no experience panic and frantically splash around to stay afloat. Dogs that propel their paws outward and back down, pushing the body in a smooth forward motion, show they can swim beyond panic/survival mode. With frequent and consistent swim sessions, pups can learn to swim safely and comfortably.</p> <h2>How to teach your dog to swim</h2> <p>First and foremost, “never toss your dog into the water to force them to swim,” says Dr Diehl. Your sweet pup will likely panic and be scarred for life, never wanting to return for a second lesson. Sarah-Anne Reed, a consulting holistic dog trainer, shares the following steps for teaching your dog to swim.</p> <h3>Test the water</h3> <p>Select a calm and shallow area with a gradual slope. Ensure the area is free of sharp rocks, broken glass and the like. “The water should be cool but not frigid,” says Reed.</p> <p>A doggy or kiddie pool is another great way to introduce puppies to water. “Begin with a small amount of water, and put some favourite toys in the pool,” Reed advises. “Move to deeper bodies of water only when your pup is comfortable not touching the ground.”</p> <h3>Use a life vest</h3> <p>Like humans, dogs need a life vest to keep them afloat while learning to swim. Choose a doggy life vest with a handle to grab them easily when in the water. Your dog might not share your enthusiasm for wearing a vest, so hold off on the first swimming lesson until they get acclimated to it. “Help your dog feel comfortable wearing the life vest by putting it on them every day, starting with five minutes and gradually increasing the time, before taking them to swim,” says Reed.</p> <p>After your pup has mastered swimming, it’s still a smart idea to use the vest to keep them safe. It can be a literal lifesaver if your dog gets tangled up in seaweed or debris or ends up in unpredictable currents.</p> <h3>Introduce your dog to the water gradually</h3> <p>Let your dog sniff around the water, and give them time to ease into it, wading up to their ankles. “Dogs will naturally feel more comfortable if they can touch the ground with their feet as they adjust to the sensation of being in water,” says Reed. Then, slowly encourage them to venture a little deeper. “Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to reward your dog for their progress.”</p> <h3>Show your dog how to swim</h3> <p>Since most dogs want to be with you, doing whatever you’re doing, use that to your advantage and get into the water with them – as long as you know how to swim. If your dog is scared, grab the handle on the vest and hold them close. “Once they seem comfortable in the water, swim around in front of your dog and encourage them to follow you,” says Reed. “This is easier if one person is holding your dog, while the other is gently coaxing them to swim.”</p> <p>Dog water toys and balls are great ways to entice your dog to stay in the water and swim. Toss one just a metre or so at first, and then gradually increase the throwing distance when your dog gets more confident.</p> <h3>Stay close and monitor your dog</h3> <p>Your dog is depending on you to be their personal lifeguard while they are in and around the water. “Keep an eye on their body language and behaviour, and be ready to help them if they need it. Some dogs might not realise their limit, especially puppies or dogs swimming together who are having a grand ol’ time in the water. “If your dog becomes tired and is struggling to swim or panting excessively, take a break, and try again another day,” says Reed.</p> <h3>Rinse off your dog after swimming</h3> <p>“After your dog’s swim, rinse them off with fresh water to remove any chlorine or salt from their coat,” says Reed. This will help prevent skin irritation and the possibility of toxic ingestion when dogs lick their wet fur.</p> <h2>Other safety issues to watch out for</h2> <p>Ready for a dip? Wait! Keeping your dog safe in the water isn’t simply a matter of keeping them afloat. Here are some other things to keep in mind:</p> <h3>Harmful algae</h3> <p>“With the climate warming, we’re seeing a lot more cases of blue-green algae poisoning,” says Dr Diehl. Seen in freshwater, this bluish-green algae can smell like rotting garbage. Avoid any water that clearly has pond scum and smells. When a dog drinks this contaminated water or licks its fur after swimming, it can work quickly.</p> <p>Warning signs your dog is sick include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, staggering, disorientation and seizures within hours of exposure or up to a few days after ingesting, Dr Diehl says. If you suspect your dog was in blue-green algae water, call your veterinarian immediately.</p> <h3>Dangerous water conditions</h3> <p>Many dogs are stellar swimmers, but even the Michael Phelps of the canine world can get caught off-guard in certain conditions. “Dog owners still need to be mindful of rough weather, large waves, air temperature and water temperature,” says Dr Diehl.</p> <h3>Hazards in the water</h3> <p>Whether you’re heading into the lake or a pool, scope the area for potential hazards. “Ensure there is a safe entry and exit point,” says Dr Karwacki. Seeing every danger in the water is impossible, but you should still look for broken glass, sharp shells and dead tree limbs under the surface that could trap your dog. If your dog doesn’t object, try getting them used to wearing paw protectors to shield their paws from sharp objects and hot sand that can burn their paw pads.</p> <h3>Deeper-than-expected water</h3> <p>“Dogs can charge into the water and suddenly find themselves in over their head,” says Dr Diehl. This happened to one of her neighbour’s dogs that was used to swimming in shallow water. “She decided to follow our Labrador into a pond near our house but started panicking when she found herself suddenly in deeper water, and we had to wade in and help her out.” Dogs may not have good judgement about how far or deep they should go, so always be present when your dog is swimming.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/can-all-dogs-swim-what-to-know-before-taking-your-pup-for-a-dip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Family & Pets

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The world’s most magical places to swim

<h2>Red Beach, Santorini, Greece</h2> <p>A crescent-shaped island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, Santorini was once a massive volcano – archaeologists say it blew its top way back in the Bronze Age. It left behind a fascinating place where whitewashed buildings cling to the edge of towering sea cliffs, and beaches come in many colours, including black, brown, white and even red. At Red Beach, iron-rich sands – and the cliffs that hem them in – have taken a curious and beautiful rust-coloured hue, which forms a stark contrast when they intersect with the beach’s deep blue waters.</p> <h2>Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia</h2> <p>While the pristine, azure waters of Whitehaven beach on North-East Queensland’s Whitsunday coast are superlative-worthy in themselves, it’s the sand that really makes it unforgettable. Soft and blindingly white, it is made of almost 98 per cent silica – a mysterious geographical phenomenon that scientists can’t explain – but that you simply have to experience burying your toes into. While the waters are divine to swim in year round, it’s worth remembering that stinger season is from October to May, when warmer waters attract larger numbers of Box and Irukandji jellyfish – a stinger suit is recommended for extra protection.</p> <h2>Blue Lagoon, Fiji</h2> <p>In many ways, Fiji – a cluster of 330 islands in the South Pacific – is the ultimate paradise, an almost mystical place where the palms seem taller, the water always feels bathtub warm, and coral reefs extend themselves and their aquatic bounty before snorkellers from all over the world. While pretty much any spot in Fiji would do for a dip, one of the most beautiful places you can swim is the remote Blue Lagoon. Part of the Yasawa Islands, Blue Lagoon is a spot where the water seems bluer, the often empty beaches appear whiter, and the aquatic wonders, from starfish to seahorses to sharks, are truly mind-boggling.</p> <h2>Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</h2> <p>One of the world’s best places to swim (and be seen swimming), this curving beach is a major draw for visitors to Rio. While it’s perhaps most famous for the skimpy bikinis (and, yes, Speedos) that can always be found here on a sunny day, this it truly is a great place for a dip in the South Atlantic. Afterward, dry off with a game of foot volley, a form of beach volleyball unique to Rio and its cariocas.</p> <h2>Panama City Beach, Florida, USA</h2> <p>While much of the good press goes to the sun spots further south on the peninsula (think Miami, Tampa and Key West), Florida’s very best beach is up on the panhandle. With sugary white sand (composed of quartz, not the grainier, brown silica found in most of the state), Panama City Beach sits at the heart of the Emerald Coast, a stretch of very clear, very warm, very emerald Gulf of Mexico water. Walk the beach, then spend the evening at Pier Park, a remarkable shopping complex that’s steps from the sea and keeps up the beach theme.</p> <h2>The Amazon River, South America</h2> <p>Contrary to popular belief, the warm, brown, slow-moving waters of the Amazon are actually safe for swimming – if you know what you’re doing. Yes, you will be sharing the river with caimans (a kind of crocodile), piranhas and the bizarre-looking pink freshwater river dolphins (called boto) that are found only here, but an experienced guide can tell you where, and when, it’s safe to dive in. You may even get a visit from a boto – a favourite excursion takes swimmers out to a mid-river sandbar, where you wait for the arrival of this mysterious, playful animal.</p> <h2>Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam</h2> <p>Southeast Asia definitely has a wealth of beautiful swimming spots and this one also happens to be a UNESCO world heritage site – and its easy to see why. With its stunning limestone islands jutting out of the water crystal-clear water the temperature of bath water, bathing doesn’t come with much more of a stunning view than this. From small, peaceful Titop Beach to the vast Ngoc Vung beach, you’ll be assured of a blissful experience wherever you go.</p> <h2>Manly Beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia</h2> <p>Reachable via what has to be the world’s most breathtaking ferry ride – the boat directly passes the city’s world-famous opera house and provides on-the-water views of the towering Sydney Harbour Bridge – Manly is everything a beach should be: soft sand, lovely water, and people-watching a-plenty. If calm waters are more your thing, bypass Manly’s main beach to nearby Shelly Beach, a protected marine reserve with clear, shallow waters featuring a large variety of marine life, ideal for scuba divers and snorkellers for its large variety of marine life. Post-swim, take the winding track up the headland for a scenic view of North Head and neighbouring beaches, or wander through the shops and eateries of the Corso, a pedestrian mall.</p> <h2>Cartagena, Colombia, South America</h2> <p>This beautiful, historic city – think horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone lanes and squares bordered by aging church clock towers – sits at the heart of a Caribbean playground. Just beyond its own sun-kissed beaches lie the 27 Rosario Islands (above), reachable by a short boat ride, which are filled with palms and fringed by aquamarine waters. Spend your day on the beach, then dance the night away in the city’s amazing array of salsa clubs.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/destinations/the-worlds-most-magical-places-to-swim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

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Only in Florida! Woman's shocking find lurking in backyard pool

<p dir="ltr">Florida woman Lynn Tosi was not the only one who wanted to stay cool during the summer.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tosi came home to an unwanted guest: a 3.5 m alligator that had busted through her screened-in porch and was vibing in her pool.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just kind of circled around, not knowing what I was going to do next. I sure wasn’t going outside,” Tossi said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The crook-a-dile waddled through a nearby forest to try and find water, and struck gold when he found Tossi’s pool.</p> <p dir="ltr">Without a care in the world, the insti-gator left a large hole in Tosi’s screened-in porch.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He busted right through there, kind of like the Kool-Aid man, you know,” Tosi shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the weather gets warmer, Alligators are becoming increasingly active, and Tosi, who has learned from this wild encounter, encouraged all homeowners to double-check their pools and lakes before diving in.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The professional coming to take him out was actually pacing and got on the phone and was really surprised by what they were up against,” Tosi recalled.</p> <p dir="ltr">In another image, the Alligator can be seen restrained, and they were lucky it didn’t snap.</p> <p dir="ltr">This encounter is one of three reported in Valusia County over the last five days.</p> <p dir="ltr">Trappers have reminded residents that the alligators are most active at dusk and dawn.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Lynn Tosi, NBC, CNN</em></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p>

Real Estate

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The Klim Swim: Michael's next big challenge after devastating diagnosis

<p>Australian swimming icon Michael Klim has refused to let his autoimmune disorder hold him back from the things he loves, returning to the gym to rebuild his body after his 2019 diagnosis. </p> <p>The 45-year-old world record holder has chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) – a rare auto-immune disorder that targets the arms and legs, and the body’s nerves. And while things haven’t necessarily been easy for the swimmer, Michael’s positive attitude has assured supporters that big things are still to come for him. </p> <p>“It has obviously been a challenging three or four years since the diagnosis,” he told the <em>Sunrise </em>team, “but I think I have accepted what I’ve got and I’m trying to make the most of it.</p> <p>“I have a great support crew, obviously my family, my partner Michelle, and it does take more than one person to get through this, and it has been pretty challenging but I am upbeat and pretty positive.</p> <p>A lot of people have come up to me and said ‘oh, you’re an Olympian, you’re mentally super tough’ but for me, the physical change has been so huge, it is hard to fathom,” Klim said.</p> <p>“I can’t even stand on one leg at the moment, so it’s really basic ... understanding that, that is my norm, and I have to slowly build up from that.</p> <p>“I am focusing on the things I can do rather than the things I can’t.”</p> <p>And the item at the top of his ‘can do, will do’ list? Encouraging Australians to dive into their local pools (or favourite swimming spot) to take on the <a href="https://www.klimswimchallenge.com.au/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brainwave Klim Swimming Challenge</a> with him. </p> <p>Michael has been hard at work training in preparation for the event that asks Australians to swim as much as they can during the month of March to raise funds for children with neurological conditions - like his own - and their families. Michael himself hopes to raise $300,000 for the foundation through his swim school franchise Klim Swim. </p> <p>“No matter how far you choose to swim,” he wrote on Instagram about the challenge, “every stroke counts!” </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/Cobnb5-jo4k/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/Cobnb5-jo4k/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brainwave Australia (@brainwaveaus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“For the month of March, we are encouraging everyone to have a swim. It can be one lap, it can be 20km, 40km,” he added during his appearance on <em>Sunrise</em>. “It can be as a family or a team, but just to get out there and get active - and obviously register - and most importantly donate.</p> <p>“Swimming has given me my purpose, motivation, challenges, and rewards in life. With my diagnosis of the neurological condition CIDP, it’s time to harness swimming to raise awareness of the neurological conditions that affect me and thousands of Australian children, and to raise funds to support them through their life changing journey.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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The world’s coolest swimming pool could be yours

<p dir="ltr">A unique home in the “opal capital of the world” has hit the market, but its location isn’t the coolest thing about it.</p> <p dir="ltr">The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Coober Pedy, South Australia, is both completely underground and boasts its very own indoor swimming pool, located in the main entertaining room.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dubbed “Faye’s Underground Home”, the property is lived-in - a rarity for the area - and open to tourists, who can pay a small fee to go on a guided tour.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home’s six main rooms include the three bedrooms and entertaining room, as well as a kitchen, lounge and dining room with a built-in bar, and a wine cellar.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/25-old-water-tank-road-coober-pedy-sa-5723-2013265706?utm_source=nine.com.au&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=editorial-content" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the listing</a>, the home features jade walls, timber details, and bursts of retro colour.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was originally a one-bedroom dug-out that the local mail truck driver called home, before being converted into the residence it is today.</p> <p dir="ltr">While a price guide hasn’t been set for the home, <em><a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/coober-pedys-underground-home-with-indoor-pool-is-a-rare-gem-1186477/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain</a></em> has reported that the median house price for Coober Pedy sits at around $74,500, having increased by 12.9 percent since last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Located 846 kilometres north of Adelaide, Coober Pedy has a population of 1769 people mostly over the age of 60.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-863ca419-7fff-f232-8e03-dc3bdef9f201"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Lin Andrews Real Estate</em></p>

Real Estate

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The five best books to read by the pool this summer

<p>Australian literature is having a real moment, so here’s our pick of the best Australian novels to soak up with the sun this summer.</p> <p><strong>The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Richard Flanagan</strong></p> <p>It took Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan 12 years to write this Booker Prize-winning novel, and it’s easy to see why.</p> <p>Based on his father’s real-life experience, it’s a beautifully written, haunting read about a Japanese Prisoner of War camp on the Thai-Burma death railway during the Second World War.</p> <p>It focuses on Dorrigo Evans, an Australian surgeon haunted by a love affair with his uncle's young wife two years earlier, struggling to save the men under his command from starvation, cholera, and brutal beatings. </p> <p>At times the novel is harrowing, graphic and disturbing, but is ultimately a story of love in the midst of a cruel war.</p> <p><strong>The Light Between Oceans, M. L Stedman</strong></p> <p>Read this novel. We could just leave it there, to be honest, it’s that good.</p> <p>Hollywood movie rights were recently snapped up so, because books are nearly always better than subsequent films, read it quickly! It has won three prestigious ABIA awards, including their 'Book of the Year', and also won the Indie Awards' 'Book of the Year'.</p> <p>It’s 1926 and Tom Sherbourne is a young lighthouse keeper on a remote island off Western Australia. He and his young wife Isabel live a quiet life, cocooned from the rest of the world.</p> <p>Fatefully soon after suffering devastating miscarriages, a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man and a crying infant.</p> <p>Only years later do they discover the devastating consequences of the decision they made that day - as the baby's real story unfolds.</p> <p>Get your tissues ready. This book will stay with you for life. Promise.</p> <p><strong>The Night Guest, Fiona McFarlane</strong></p> <p>Fiona McFarlane’s debut novel has been shortlisted for the Stella prize and the Miles Franklin Award.</p> <p>One morning Ruth, an elderly widow, wakes thinking a tiger has been in her house in a small coastal town. Later that day a carer, Frida, arrives to look after her. Both Frida and the tiger are here to stay, and neither is what they seem.</p> <p>The Night Guest is a mesmerising novel about love, dependence, and the fear that the things you know best can become the things you're least certain about.</p> <p><strong>Eyrie, Tim Winton</strong></p> <p>Tim Winton’s 25<sup>th</sup> book follows Tom Keely, whose reputation is in ruins, whose marriage is over and career finished. Holed up in a grim high rise, cultivating his newfound isolation, he reluctantly meets a woman from his past and a boy who will change his life.</p> <p>Eyrie is heart-warming and human, and reassures the reader that no matter how low you can feel, life will renew itself and take new paths, whether you want it to or not. </p> <p><strong>The Swan Book, Alexis Wright</strong></p> <p>This is like nothing you’ve ever read before.</p> <p>Set in the future, around the time of Australia’s third centenary, we see Aboriginals still living under the Intervention in the north, in a country fundamentally altered by climate change.</p> <p>The book centres around the life of a mute young woman called Oblivia, the victim of gang-rape by petrol-sniffing youths. We follow her from the displaced community where she lives to her marriage to Warren Finch, the first Aboriginal president of Australia, and her elevation First Lady.</p> <p>Alexis Wright’s previous novel, <em>Carpentaria</em>, was a prize-winning best-seller and The Swan Book has been short-listed for the Miles Franklin Award. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Books

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Ian Thorpe gets his Olympic report card

<p>Ian Thorpe has proven he doesn’t need to be in the pool at the Olympics to be a star.</p> <p>Twenty-one years after first winning gold at the Sydney Olympic Games, Thorpe has given his expert commentary for Channel 7 during the Tokyo games – and fans are absolutely loving it.</p> <p>From winning gold medals to predicting the future, Ian Thorpe has proved he can do it all at the Olympics.</p> <p>Twenty-one years after first winning gold at the Sydney Games, Thorpedo is playing a starring role in Tokyo – but in a very different capacity.</p> <p>The Australian swimming legend is giving his expert analysis for Channel 7.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="../media/7842727/ian-thorpe-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/60b14eeb144d4ffcb3369202de846398" /></p> <p><em>Thorpe always believed Titmus was going to bring it home late. Image: Supplied. </em></p> <p>Through the swimming legend’s insight, he predicted what Katie Ledecky’s final time would be and got within a second of the stopwatch.</p> <p>Thorpe went at it again during Aussie superstar Ariarne Titmus’ second blockbuster showdown of the Games with Ledecky in the 200m freestyle final on Tuesday.</p> <p>“I think Ariarne has Ledecky covered in this race,” Thorpe said.</p> <p>“She can transition a lot better into different speeds. So she’ll build up her speed, whereas Katie Ledecky seems to get stuck in one gear.</p> <p>“She has a consistency that comes with that speed, but she can’t increase it in any way — it doesn’t develop.</p> <p>“Whereas when you saw Ariarne come over the top of Ledecky in the 400m freestyle final, she was gradually increasing that speed and there was a 0.4 second difference in their last 50m.”</p> <p>Thorpe was right again, proving his expertise is on point.</p> <p>Ledecky went hard and Titmus was trailing the whole way up until the final lap.</p> <p>The 20-year-old from Tasmania eventually overtook her biggest rival in the final 25m to win gold medal No. 2.</p> <p>Thorpe took time to point out Titmus’ turning ability, and said she was accelerating into the wall and springing off of it better than Ledecky was.</p> <p>The Aussie finally took the lead for the first time at the final turn.</p> <p>His fellow Channel 7 commentator Leisel Jones, who has competed in four Olympics, praised Thorpe when Japan’s Ohashi Yui won the 200m women’s individual medley.</p> <p>“I’m going to say Thorpey called that before we started,” Jones said during Seven’s broadcast.</p> <p>“He said, ‘Watch for Ohashi Yui to go for the double’.”</p> <p>“After seeing that 400 IM, this was the clear frontrunner in this race,” Thorpe said when explaining why he tipped Ohashi to win again.</p> <p>Aussie watchers have praised the Olympic swimmer for his brilliant commentary, with one saying: “He is amazing, I love listening to him.</p> <p>Another wrote: “Ian Thorpe owns commentary. He regularly calls the winner 50m out.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Love <a href="https://twitter.com/IanThorpe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IanThorpe</a> commentary for the swimming.</p> <p>— Eric (@bananman1234) <a href="https://twitter.com/bananman1234/status/1420593762816847872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p>A third person added: “How wonderful Ian Thorpe’s commentary. He is so informative, speaks so calmly.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">And how wonderful is Ian Thorpe’s commentary.He is so informative,speaks so calmly.Great👏</p> <p>— Lynette (@lynettekc) <a href="https://twitter.com/lynettekc/status/1420566887612616704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/lynettekc/status/1420566887612616704?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://twitter.com/lynettekc/status/1420566887612616704?s=21</a></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Ian Thorpe is the Ricky Ponting of swimming commentary.</p> <p>— justin1flynn 🐯🏆🏆🏆 (@justin1flynn) <a href="https://twitter.com/justin1flynn/status/1420558861140852741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Image: Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span></em></p>

TV

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5 things you must never do on a cruise pool deck

<p>The pool deck is one of the most popular locations on any cruise liner, and it might just be the one where the most faux pas are performed. <a href="http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cruise Critic</span></strong></a> has put together a list of cruise ship pool mistakes everyone must avoid. Here are five of the most common.</p> <p>Avoid these mistakes, or face walking the plank!</p> <p><strong>1. Hog the deck chairs</strong></p> <p>Now this is one way to make enemies out on the open ocean. Only reserve chairs that you are actively using (heading off to the buffet to pig out for an hour means you’re not actively using it), especially if you’re not planning to return for an extended period.</p> <p><strong>2. No applying enough sunscreen</strong></p> <p>How many holidays have been ruined by sunburn? Instead of spending hours of your trip doused in aloe vera gel, make sure you regularly apply sunscreen when you’re on the cruise pool deck. It’s also worth taking additional measures like hats and sunnies.</p> <p><strong>3. Wearing a Speedo</strong></p> <p>Unless you’re moonlighting as a Calvin Klein model, wearing a Speedo can be a quick way to cause a mutiny onboard. You have to remember that people of all levels of modesty will be sharing the deck, so make sure your swimmers leave something to the imagination.</p> <p><strong>4. Taking your drink into the pool</strong></p> <p>While it might seem like a natural thing to do, taking your drink to the pool and lead to an unfortunate spill. And if it’s an alcohol beverage, you leave yourself open to an increased change of dehydration and dizziness which is the last thing you need.</p> <p><strong>5. Moving around too quickly</strong></p> <p>This one should be a given, but the pool deck is slippery and you’d be surprised how many people end up upside down because they weren’t taking care. Moving around on a pool deck too quickly can leave you open to a nasty slip, or even knocking someone else over.</p> <p>Do you have any cruise pool deck faux pas you think we should add?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Cruising

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