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

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

Family & Pets

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

<p>The man who died, Talitiga Taupau, was trying to save the lives of two others caught in a dangerous rip with him.</p> <p>The father-of-six entered the rip at Cronulla’s Shelly Beach on Saturday afternoon. One swimmer made it back to the beach, while Talitiga and one other were pulled unconscious from the water. </p> <p>Talitiga died at the scene, while the second unconscious man was revived and taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition after allegedly being underwater for three minutes. The swimmer who returned to shore was reported to be in a stable condition and receiving further treatment. </p> <p>Talitiga’s death brings the state’s summer drowning toll to 14 (with the count commencing on December 1). </p> <p>The 44-year-old has been identified as the uncle of Brisbane Broncos player Martin “Marty” Taupau. </p> <p>“It's really sad that this has happened but he will never be forgotten for his actions," Marty told 9News of his uncle’s passing. Marty was reportedly driving to Brisbane with his family for training with his team when he heard the news. </p> <p>“There’s just so much happening,” he added, “so much to process.” </p> <p>Talitiga and the second man were pulled from the water by nearby lifeguards. Joel Wiseman, director of lifesaving for Surf Life Saving NSW, stressed the strain on volunteer lifesavers across the state in the wake of the recent drownings, including the tragedy at Shelly Beach on the weekend. </p> <p>“We are experiencing one of our busiest summers ever with huge rescue numbers,” Wiseman stated, “and our volunteers have put in a massive effort to try to keep people safe along the coast.</p> <p>"Despite the growing drowning toll, volunteers and lifeguards should be very proud of what they've achieved so far this summer. There are a combination of factors making this summer so deadly, including people taking risks, alcohol consumption, and crowded beaches which can lead beachgoers to seek out unfamiliar and unpatrolled locations.</p> <p>"Rip currents remain the number one coastal hazard and the 14 coastal drowning deaths this summer have all occurred at unpatrolled locations."</p> <p>An investigation is underway into the latest drowning, with Sutherland Shire police set to prepare a report for the coroner. </p> <p>Talitiga Taupau is being remembered as a hero for his actions, with tributes flowing for his family.</p> <p>Marty Taupau posted one such tribute to his Instagram, sharing 9News’ segment on his uncle’s story with the caption “Manuia lau malaga uncle“ (Have a good trip uncle) and the hashtag “hero”. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cn_oTOwJwJ9/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/Cn_oTOwJwJ9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 🧿 M A R T Y K A P O W 🧿 (@martykapow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Prayers and condolences to you and your family brother,” wrote Australian basketball star Dejan Vasiljevic. </p> <p>Fellow rugby league player Brad Takairangi commented, “much love my bro.” </p> <p>“So sorry for your loss @martykapow,” shared one supporter, echoing the sentiments of many who had come to the post to share their condolences for Marty and Talitiga’s loved ones, “sending sympathy and love to you and all your family.”</p> <p>As Marty told 9News, “I know I’ve got the right people and support networks around … I’ll be okay.” </p> <p><em>Images: 9News</em></p> <p> </p>

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

<p>Emily Seebohm has confirmed she is dating Married At First Sight star and comedian Ryan Gallagher.</p> <p>The popular swimmer and three-time Olympic champion, 30, is currently appearing alongside Gallagher on Channel 10 reality show The Challenge Australia.</p> <p>There has been lots of speculation surrounding their romance and last month Gallagher was asked on radio station 2Day FM if he was in a relationship with Emily, to which he replied: “Em is a beautiful, beautiful girl, and if there was a relationship there, I’d be very lucky”.</p> <p>Since then, the pair have made it official with simultaneous Instagram posts shared on Tuesday.</p> <p>“Letting you in on a little secret,” wrote Seebohm with an image of her and Gallagher smiling on a balcony.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClxrAYUpWCU/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/ClxrAYUpWCU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴊᴀɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʙᴏʜᴍ 🦋 (@emcbomb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>At the same time Gallagher posted an image of Seebohm with her hands draped over him with a smiley face emoji.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClxpL4ALSn-/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/ClxpL4ALSn-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Various stars congratulated the couple including Tracy Grimshaw.</p> <p>“Gold for Australia,” wrote comedian and presenter Dave Hughes.</p> <p>“Outstanding,” replied former A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw</p> <p>Rhonda Burchmore said the announcement was “bloody magnificent”.</p> <p>Gallagher took up comedy after starring in Married at Frist Sight where he was matched up with Davina Rankin. They soon broke up after this.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Dramatic underwater rescue of unconscious swimmer captured in photographs

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

Caring

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Historic change made for transgender swimmers

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

News

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Anti-trans billboard featuring Aussie swimmers comes under fire

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

Legal

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

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

News

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

<p>Aussie swimmer Shana Jack has been given a suspension of only two years after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided to half her four-year doping ban.</p> <p>Jack was dumped from the Australian team for the 2019 world titles after she tested positive in July last year, resulting in a possible four-year ban.</p> <p>The 22-year-old has always maintained her innocence and claimed that the positive test to non-steroid anabolic agent Ligandrol may have been due to cross-contamination.</p> <p>The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday ruled that Jack did not knowingly take the banned drug Ligandrol and elected to reduce her four-year ban to just two years.</p> <p>"The Sole Arbitrator in charge of this matter found, on the balance of probabilities, that Shayna Jack did not intentionally ingest ligandrol and considered that she had discharged her onus of proving that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional," CAS said in its ruling.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpcdQLgwFY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpcdQLgwFY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Shayna Jack (@shayna_jack)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"As a consequence, the Sole Arbitrator imposed a reduced period of ineligibility of two years, commencing on the date of her provisional suspension."</p> <p>Jack can continue her career next year but will not be able to take part in the rescheduled Tokyo 2021 Games.</p> <p>"The anti-doping rules are far from satisfactory and can produce results that are far from fair. In my case, I have proven that I have NOT ever cheated, nor used prohibited substances intentionally or knowingly," she wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>"I cannot change the rules and the rules will remain as they are for the time being. Therefore, I accept this decision with a positive attitude and with gratitude that my career as a swimmer will resume next year.</p> <p>"I have never doubted myself for a minute throughout this ordeal and I have never allowed my integrity to be compromised. I walk a little taller tonight with the fact that this ordeal is finally over. I am returning to swimming – the sport that I have loved all my life and the sport that I will cherish just that little bit more ongoing."</p>

News

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Swimmer bitten on head by saltwater crocodile

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

Family & Pets

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

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

Body

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

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

Domestic Travel

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

<p><span>Former Olympic swimmer Giaan Roonery has opened up about the “terrifying” scare she had on Tuesday night, when her 11-month-old daughter, Lexi, stopped breathing.</span></p> <p><span>On Instagram, Giaan explained how her daughter’s survival was because of the quick actions made by her and her husband, Sam Levett.</span></p> <p><span>“Last night was the most terrifying moment of my life,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span>“Our 11-month-old, Lexi, had a seizure, stopped breathing and turned blue.”</span></p> <p><span>Thankfully, Giaan and her husband took an infant CPR course when her four-year-old son, Zander, was first born.</span></p> <p><span>The 35-year-old mum said “despite the panic” what they'd been taught in the course “kicked back in”.</span></p> <p><span>“My amazing husband gave Lexi CPR as I called an ambulance and talked to the operator,” Giaan explained.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjGig3pjmtq/" target="_blank">A post shared by Giaan Rooney (@giaan.rooney)</a> on May 22, 2018 at 6:52pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>On Wednesday afternoon, Giaan shared that the family were still in hospital awaiting test results.</span></p> <p><span>Doctors believe the seizure was caused by a virus that dramatically raised Lexi’s temperature. Giaan shared the news that her little girl’s health is now “out of danger”.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BhVji3_DsL7/" target="_blank">A post shared by Giaan Rooney (@giaan.rooney)</a> on Apr 8, 2018 at 9:46pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>After the major scare, Giaan urged other parents to learn or re-learn CPR.</span></p> <p><span>“Please, if you have children or are around kids often, brush up on your CPR skills, hoping you never need it, but prepared if you do.”</span></p> <p><span>According to St John’s Ambulance, less than one in three parents can confidently perform CPR on a child if required.</span></p> <p><span>CPR and children’s first aid courses can be done through the Australian Red Cross as well as other providers.</span></p>

Caring

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Former swimmer Geoff Huegill’s wife charged with shoplifting

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

Legal

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

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

Domestic Travel

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Hilarious moment reporter falls into pool interviewing swimmers at Commonwealth Games

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

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

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

Technology

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How to avoid swimmer’s ear

<p>Summer is here and my ears are burning. Not because someone maybe talking about me or because they are sunburnt but because I have swimmer's ear. The warm weather and time in the water sees different things impacting on our wellbeing. In my medical career I have treated thousands of cases of swimmer’s ear otherwise known as otitis externa. It’s an infection in the external ear canal that runs from the ear drum to the earlobe and outside world.</p> <p>One of the more common causes of otitis externa is water becoming trapped in the canal and bacteria and fungi growing, causing inflammation and pain. Having treated many cases, it's interesting to experience it. It’s really sore, hard to sleep and even eating is painful. It certainly impacts on your wellbeing. As with most things prevention is better than cure as is early treatment if you get it.</p> <p>Some people maybe more likely to get swimmer’s ear due to chronic dermatitis, a narrow ear canal or what is called surfer’s ear. Having worked in Taranaki as a doctor for many years surfer’s ear is very common. This is where bony growths called exostoses crowd the ear canal, so water gets trapped between the bony lumps and the eardrum. You may see the odd person hopping on one foot to another shaking their head trying to clear the water from their ear canal.</p> <p>So, if you have surfer’s ear or are prone to swimmer’s ear, keeping water out of the ear canal is an important strategy in staying well. A stylish shower cap may do the trick at home or earplugs for those of you who have hair to wash. Earplugs while surfing or swimming help as well and are preferable to having to sit out the water with an ear infection during summer while everyone plunges in. Wearing earplugs may in fact help prevent surfer’s ear as well.</p> <p>If that fails and pain and inflammation are setting in, it’s important to get onto it quickly. If it’s mild and you don't have a perforated ear drum or complications there are concoctions available in the form of ear drops which are essentially vinegar (acetic acid) and alcohol that change the pH and dry out the ear. Next steps are eardrops that contain steroids to reduce inflammation and antibiotics and antifungals to kill the bugs. If it is really bad, you may need oral antibiotics or even a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist to get the debris removed.</p> <p>What you want to avoid is letting it get too far so you don't end up getting chronic otitis externa and recurrent ear infections. Infection and inflammation are like fires, avoid starting them but if you have one, put it out quickly before it takes hold and causes more damage.</p> <p>With the longer summer evenings and people spending more time outside there are more things that go bump in the evening. I have seen numerous cases of bugs flying into people's ears at beaches, barbeques and boudoirs. This is really frightening, and a small insect can sound like a large military brass band banging on your tympanic membrane (ear drum). Simple treatment is to lie on your side and put a few drops of olive oil in your ear. The bug drowns and silence is achieved. Then get the bug removed or it may just float out.</p> <p>Look after yourself and your loved ones ears this summer and don't go poking anything in your ears or theirs.</p> <p><em>Written by Dr Tom Mulholland. Republished with permission of</em> <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></em></a>.</p>

Body

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Champion swimmer Geoff Huegill finds perfect new career

<p>Olympic medallist Geoff Huegill has found a new career in the pool cleaning business, taking on the role of client manager for The Pool &amp; Spa Whisperer, a premium swimming pool and spa service, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.</p> <p>The swimming champion says he fell into what must be the perfect job for a retired swimmer.</p> <p>“It’s been good, I’ve really enjoyed it because I’m not stuck in an office,” the Huegill told the Wentworth Courier.</p> <p> “I’ve been around swimming pools for 35 years of my life so I understand filtration systems and pumps and backwashes and what’s not to love?” he said.</p> <p><img width="473" height="266" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/c8241d8d31b2198861e23f212f50bdf2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“So for me I’ve fallen into the business by chance, but it’s always one of those things when you are asked how you got into it — especially with jobs that people didn’t expect — well, yes, I fell into the business but it’s something I’ve really enjoyed. It suits my personality to a tee.”</p> <p>Huegill admits that people do get a shock sometimes when he walks into their backyard.</p> <p>“Occasionally I rock up to people’s backyards and people do get that shock of ‘wow what are you doing here?’ But we work with a team of guys and a team of technicians that come and take the headache and the pain away for the real estate agent or the pool owner.”</p> <p>His main role is working in with real estate agents, property managers and getting business.</p> <p>Huegill, who has two daughters Milla, 5, and Gigi, 3, with his wife Sara, is also a swim coach and mentor at Cook &amp; Phillip Aquatic Centre with his HBT Swim Academy.</p> <p>Huegill won silver in the 4x100m medley relay and bronze in the 100m butterfly at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and made a comeback in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games to win gold in 4x100m medley relay and 100m butterfly.</p>

Retirement Life

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Australian swimmers banned from closing ceremony

<p>The Olympics closing ceremony is the culmination of four years of hard work and one last chance for the athletes to celebrate their time at the games. But after an incident on Tuesday, it seems two Aussie swimmers have their names scratched off the guest list.</p> <p>Swimmers Josh Palmer and Emma McKeon were grounded by Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller after a night out where Palmer was found disorientated in Copacabana, robbed of $1,000, his wallet and phone, while McKeon reportedly stayed a night with a friend without properly notifying team management.</p> <p>In a statement, Chiller informed that Palmer, 25, and McKeon, 22, must remain in the village between 8pm and 8am, would only be allowed to travel to sporting events in official Rio 2016 transport, and have also been banned from the closing ceremony.</p> <p>It’s a bitter end to the 2016 games for McKeon who won a gold medal in the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay, and was considered a strong contender to carry the Aussie flag.</p> <p>In her statement, Chiller said, “Palmer and McKeon's behaviour was unacceptable and they breached disciplinary protocols. I have raised the need for the swimming team leader to ensure he is aware of his athlete's whereabouts when leaving the Olympic Village and that the swimming athletes observe the 2am curfew"</p> <p>In a tweet, McKeon clarified the situation, stating, “To clarify, I've followed AOC safety protocol in not travelling to village alone. My error was not texting my team manager.”</p> <p>What’s your take? Do you think the AOC is right to take the closing ceremony away from these athletes? Or are McKeon and Palmer in the wrong?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / ESPN</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/08/australias-winning-athletes-at-the-rio-olympics/"><strong>10 photos of Australia’s winning athletes at the Rio Olympics</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/08/aussie-kyle-chalmers-wins-gold-in-100-metre-freestyle/"><strong>Aussie Kyle Chalmers wins gold in 100 metre freestyle</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/08/kyle-chalmers-grandparents-celebrate-gold-medal-swim/"><strong>Kyle Chalmers' grandparents celebrate gold medal swim</strong></a></em></span></p>

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US swimmer Ryan Lochte robbed at gunpoint in Rio

<p>Gold medallist Ryan Lochte and his US swimming teammates have been robbed at gunpoint just hours after collecting gold in the 4 x 100m medley relay.</p> <p>Lochte and his fellow swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigan were celebrating their win at Club France, a nightclub in the city, when they were set upon by men dressed as police officers while making their way back to the Olympic Village.</p> <p>“They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground — they got down on the ground,” Lochte told reporters. “I refused, I was like we didn't do anything wrong, so — I'm not getting down on the ground.</p> <p>“And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, ‘Get down, ‘and I put my hands up, I was like ‘whatever,’” he added. “He took our money, he took my wallet — he left my cell phone, he left my credentials.”</p> <p>After the attack, Bentz tweeted, “We are all safe. Thank you for your love and support. P.S. the gold medal is safe.”</p> <p>The armed holdup is not the first incident to occur in Rio, with two Australian rowing coaches, a Portuguese spectator and a Russian swimmer all robbed in separate attacks.</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what do you think needs to be done to improve security in the final week of the Rio Games?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/08/rio-olympic-pools-turn-deep-shade-of-green/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>What on earth is going on with the pools at Rio?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/08/british-grandma-who-is-tweeting-the-olympics/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The adorable British grandma who’s tweeting the Olympics</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/08/royals-special-message-for-britains-olympians/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The young royals have a special message for Britain’s Olympians</strong></em></span></a></p>

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