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

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

Legal

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Olympian tragically killed at just 31

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

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

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

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

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

Family & Pets

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Olympian dies at just 37 years of age

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

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Aussie Olympian’s exciting family news

<p dir="ltr">Olympic gold medalist Tom Slingsby and his wife, <em>The Bachelor</em>’s Helena Sauzier, are expecting their first child. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple, who married in February 2023, announced their exciting news with a post to social media, where Slingsby shared a picture from their wedding along with a snap of their ultrasound. </p> <p dir="ltr">Their year had started on a high, and looks set to end on one too, with Slingsby’s caption declaring that their bundle of joy was due in December. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Little boy incoming,” his caption read. “So excited for the future with @helenasauzier and our new addition in December."</p> <p dir="ltr">The wedding picture was a throwback to the happiest day of their lives - and another post from Slingsby, when he shared the news of their nuptials with his followers after at least three years of dating. </p> <p dir="ltr">The competitive sailor had used his February post to gush about his new wife and their “perfect day”, just a few days after tying the knot aboard the Ghost II superyacht.</p> <p dir="ltr">His comments were awash with love and celebration from friends, family, and fans - just like his baby announcement.</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/Ct6KkAkrivk/?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/Ct6KkAkrivk/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tom Slingsby (@tslingsby)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Loved ones were more than happy to repeat the process, flocking to Slingsby’s comment section to shower their happy messages on the couple - directing them to both via Slingsby, as Sauzier’s account was private. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations on the buoy guys!” fitness enthusiast Andrew Pap wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Ahhhh Stahppp congrats you guys!!” former <em>The Bachelor</em> star Brittany Hockley said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Congrats mate,” Aussie yachtsman Jimmy Spithill shared, with near identical sentiments coming from Slingsby’s fellow Olympian Matt Graham. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Peanut … I love you squishy,” mother-to-be Helena chimed in. </p> <p dir="ltr">“PEANUT!!!! So so so excited for you and @helenasauzier! Love you guys so much xx,” a friend wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations, so glad to hear the Slingsby lineage will continue!!” one supporter gushed. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Awe how exciting. Wonderful news. Congratulations to you both,” another said. </p> <p dir="ltr">One had high hopes for the pair, that it was “simply gorgeous news”, and telling them “you’ll both make such great parents!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Gorgeous news! It will be the wildest ride you have ever been on!” another revealed. “May the lead up to your little man’s arrival and beyond be smooth sailing.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, sports broadcaster Kaylee Hartung had just one question for the happy couple, “will you name him Montell? Or Jordan? Congratulations!!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Olympian tragically killed at just 24

<p>Olympic ski jumper Patrick Gasienica, who only just competed for the United States in the 2022 Beijing Games has tragically passed away at the age of 24.</p> <p>Gasienica died as a result of a motorcycle accident in the village of Bull Valley, located in Chicago’s northwestern suburbs, according to the Bull Valley Police Department.</p> <p>USA Nordic took to Twitter to share tribute for the late ski champ.</p> <p>“USA Nordic and the Ski Jumping community are saddened to hear about the passing of Patrick Gasienica,” they began their post.</p> <p>“A 2022 Beijing Winter Olympian, Patrick was an incredible competitor, teammate and friend. He will be dearly missed.</p> <p>“Rest in peace, Patrick <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SkiJumpingFamily?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1668759332882874369%7Ctwgr%5E2dbdd92adb6e1717c97229e8bdab0462ef277ab4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwos.nine.com.au%2Folympics%2Famerican-ski-jumper-patrick-gasienica-dies-in-motorcycle-accident-at-24%2F754748db-be62-498b-8866-c499a8753072&amp;src=hashtag_click" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#SkiJumpingFamily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1668759332882874369%7Ctwgr%5E2dbdd92adb6e1717c97229e8bdab0462ef277ab4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwos.nine.com.au%2Folympics%2Famerican-ski-jumper-patrick-gasienica-dies-in-motorcycle-accident-at-24%2F754748db-be62-498b-8866-c499a8753072&amp;src=hashtag_click" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#TeamUSA</a>."</p> <p>The U.S Ski &amp; Snowboard Team also posted on Twitter about his tragic death.</p> <p>“We are deeply saddened by the passing [of] Patrick Gasienica, an incredible athlete, teammate and person.</p> <p>"Sending love to his family, friends and the entire ski jumping community."</p> <p>Gasienica finished 49th and 53rd in individual events at the Beijing Olympics and secured 10th place in a team competition with Casey Larson, Kevin Bickner and Decker Dean.</p> <p>“We don’t really have a lot of jumpers, but it’s getting better,” Gasienica said in 2022 in China.</p> <p>“Especially since the pandemic, a lot of different kids are joining the different clubs around America. Hopefully in a couple of years — five, 10, maybe — we’ll have a really, really great team.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter</em></p>

News

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Three-time Olympian rushed to hospital

<p>Three-time Olympian Vicki Roycroft is in intensive care after suffering a suspected heart attack at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. </p> <p>It has been reported that the 70-year-old equestrian was preparing to participate in an equestrian show jumping competition when she suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Concord Hospital.</p> <p>Vicki’s sister shared an update in the wake of the terrifying incident, informing Vicki’s friends and fans that she had endured a “large tear in her aorta” and according to eyewitnesses had not been breathing for 10 minutes. While she had been stabilised at that stage, she was also in the midst of an 8 hour bypass surgery with doctors who were “amazed with her fitness”, and it would be roughly 3-4 days until they knew exactly how much damage the former Olympian was facing.</p> <p>The medical episode was confirmed by a spokesperson from the Easter Show, who told the <em>Sydney Morning Herald </em>that “the on-site St John Ambulance team attended to her immediately, with treatment also provided by NSW Ambulance paramedics.</p> <p>“The thoughts of the entire Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and horse community at the show are with Vicki and her loved ones at this time.”</p> <p>As news continued to break, support flowed in across Vicki’s social media account, with many also wishing the athlete a happy birthday, who had turned 70 while in hospital. </p> <p>Alongside the well wishes came a further update from Vicki’s partner Neil Trickett, who shared with everyone that their beloved Vicki had had “a brief moment of semi-consciousness” and was “holding her own”. </p> <p>He also reported “she did not squeeze a medical staff member's hand when asked, but maybe was lapsing back into unconsciousness. At this stage she will continue with heavy sedation until possibly tomorrow afternoon/evening, when a decision will be made on whether to allow her to begin to fully wake-up.”</p> <p>Neil added that a full assessment would take place over the coming days to determine any potential neurological deficits Vicki may be facing, but that “Vicki's will and determination, not to mention the incredible medical professionals in whose care she remains, are what will get her through the next few days. That she survived due to a clot that was plugging the tear in her aorta is indeed miraculous.</p> <p>“She is going to be utterly blown away by the good will that is spreading around the country - and around the world - when she wakes up.”</p> <p>And for those worried about the future of Vicki’s career and passion for it, he had an optimistic answer, explaining “if that [the support] was all it took to get her back to full strength, she'd be riding tomorrow. It may take a little longer, but she WILL be back on the horse.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty, Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

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Olympian makes surprise announcement of new baby boy!

<p>Tom Daley and husband Dustin Lance Black have announced the news of their second child's arrival.</p> <p>The pair shared the news with the <em>Times</em> before taking to Instagram to reveal their son’s unique name, giving fans quite a surprise as they had not publicly revealed what they were expecting.</p> <p>Daley posted a picture of his now family of four and a sweet picture of him holding the newborn, paired with the caption, “🧡 PHOENIX ROSE BLACK-DALEY 🧡”</p> <p>"Our family has grown in the last week, we welcomed Phoenix to the world on 28/03/23 and he's just perfect 🧡 Robbie is loving being a BIG BRO! 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦”</p> <p>Friends and fans were quick to celebrate the couple’s new addition to the family in the comment section.</p> <p>Fellow Olympic diver Matty Lee wrote, “Can’t wait to meet him! Love you all ❤️”</p> <p>"Oh my god tom 😍💖 congrats angel!!!!” wrote social media star Holly H.</p> <p>Black also took to Instagram, posting a photo of the four of them, writing "And then there were four. Our second son, Phoenix Rose Black-Daley, arrived at 3:34 pm on March 28, 2023. ❤️"</p> <p>His comment section was also filled with excited friends and celebs wishing them well.</p> <p>“Congrats fellas!!!!” NSYNC singer Lance Bass wrote.</p> <p>“MAZEL TOV!!! ❤️🙌” TV presenter Andy Cohen said.</p> <p>The couple, who were married in 2017, welcomed their first child, five-year-old Robert Ray via surrogate in 2018.</p> <p>Young Phoenix isn’t the only newborn with an unusual name in the news at the moment, with proud mum <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/my-whole-heart-paris-hilton-shares-new-photos-of-baby-boy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris Hilton announcing the birth of her first child</a>, a son with a name you won't forget.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"Just not fair": Australia's most-decorated Olympian's trans stance

<p dir="ltr">Olympic star Emma McKeon has taken a stance against transgender athletes competing in women’s sport.</p> <p dir="ltr">The five-time gold medallist said “it’s just not fair” to be competing against transgender athletes during a seminar at Griffith University.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her comments came as Prime Minister Scott Morrison backs Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves, who caused an uproar by declaring trans teenagers are “surgically mutilated” and that the rainbow Pride flag “triggers” her.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I personally wouldn't want to be racing against someone who is biologically a male, so that's a concern," McKeon said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's not a new thing, but it's new in that sport, swimming, are going to have to deal with it."</p> <p dir="ltr">McKeon believes it won’t “come to the point” where she is competing against a transgender opponent.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don't think I'm going to have to race against a trans swimmer, I don't think it's going to come to that point,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But now that it's a growing thing, the sport has to think about how to handle it and how to deal with it, because you do want to be inclusive, but you don't want to have females racing against swimmers who are biologically male because it's just not fair.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurel Hubbard from New Zealand competed in women’s weightlifting at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics which sparked a debate on the fairness of the competition.</p> <p dir="ltr">New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard sparked debate when she competed in women's weightlifting at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australia’s Hannah Mouncey, a former men’s national handball player wanted to compete in AFLW and was rejected with the AFL being taken to court.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

News

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Second Olympian killed in same town

<p dir="ltr">A second athlete has been killed in the same town that another Olympian was killed in just a year ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kenyan born Damaris Muthee Mutua was found in the town of Iten in western Kenya on Tuesday, the same town record-breaking distance runner Agnes Tirop was found dead in.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have launched a manhunt for Mutua’s Ethopian boyfriend who is believed to have been the last person to see her. </p> <p dir="ltr">“According to Mutua’s immediate neighbour, her boyfriend was seen in the house on Sunday morning. It’s likely that the incident happened late Saturday or early Sunday since the body was in a state of decomposition,” county police chief Tom Makori told AFP.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have launched a manhunt for the Ethiopian who is believed to have fled the country.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 28-year-old was a junior athlete and two times bronze medalist at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore and the East African junior athletics championships in Khartoum, Sudan before deciding to represent Bahrain. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her story is similar to Tirop who was only 25 when she was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/lost-a-jewel-olympic-runner-found-stabbed-in-her-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found with stab wounds</a> in her abdomen and her husband missing in October last year. </p> <p dir="ltr">Athletics Kenya said the country had “lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also paid tribute at the time, saying, “It is unsettling, utterly unfortunate and very sad that we’ve lost a young and promising athlete who, at a young age of 25 years, she had brought our country so much glory through her exploits on the global athletics stage including in this year’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she was part of the Kenyan team in Japan.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Caring

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Olympian's shock death at just 17

<p dir="ltr">Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez has died at the age of 17, after an accident during national team training.</p> <p dir="ltr">The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the tragic news on Monday morning, sharing that Eya was sailing with her twin sister Sarra, who is two minutes older, when their boat capsized.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eya drowned, passing away on Sunday, April 10, while her sister survived.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/61067142" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a></em>, their coach was able to save Sarra from tangled rigging before finding Eya and attempting CPR.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair competed at the Tokyo Olympics last year. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is understood they had hopes of competing at the 2024 Games in Paris, as reported by <em><a href="https://olympics.com/en/news/olympic-sailor-eya-guezguez-dies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am shocked by the news of sailor Eya Guezguez’s death. She was an inspiring talent and role model for her athletes’ generation,” IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement on the organisation’s <a href="https://olympics.com/en/news/olympic-sailor-eya-guezguez-dies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Eya Guezguez’s participation at Tokyo 2020 alongside her twin sister Sarra will continue to motivate girls everywhere. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the Olympic community in Tunisia.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Tributes to Eya have begun to appear online from fans and members of the sporting world.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a04f8f31-7fff-adf3-23d0-864ebcd65e37"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“RIP Eya Guezguez, left much too soon.Olympian in sailing. Thoughts of her twin sister and her family,” Tunisian Twitter user Wa!id wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Eya Guezguez, 16, Tunisian Olympic Windsurfer, has passed away today after an accident at practice.<br />Eya, along with her twin, Sarra, were the Youngest female athletes at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo2020</a> Olympics...<br />May she Rest In Peace 😔 <a href="https://t.co/Pvt6lGEscq">pic.twitter.com/Pvt6lGEscq</a></p> <p>— Souhail Khmira (@SKhmira) <a href="https://twitter.com/SKhmira/status/1513262295840866308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Barely 16 years old, our champion of sailing Eya Guezguez has died today after an accident during training for the national team,” Tunisian sports outlet Ettachkila wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We extend our condolences to her family and her loved ones.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Rest in peace.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Eya and Sarra were the youngest Olympians to ever represent Tunisia and the youngest sailors to compete at the Olympic Games.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Tunisian Olympic Committee (CNOT) said her death was a “tragedy in the sports scene”, writing on Facebook that Eya had died while training for upcoming regional and international competitions.</p> <p dir="ltr">“May God have mercy on the deceased, grant her eternal rest in paradise, and grant her family and relatives and the entire sports family a beautiful patience and solace,” CNOT said in a statement, per the <em>BBC</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b5d7efe-7fff-ce2f-8cf9-18bf93ab8dda"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: International Olympic Committee</em></p>

News

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Australia's new golden couple?

<p>After being spotted looking cosy, Olympic superstars Emma McKeon and Kyle Chalmers are rumoured to be dating. </p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/emma-mckeon-and-kyle-chalmers-australian-swimmings-new-golden-couple/news-story/b034ca1f084444dfd71b087a0e064a60" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a> reported that the swimming pair were seen looking smitten with each other while attending an induction session after the Olympic swimming trials in June. </p> <p>Both Emma and Kyle were seen in Naples last week as part of the <span>International Swimming League where both are on the London Roar team, with Luke as the co-captain. </span></p> <p><span>The pair are two of the most influential names in Australian sport, with both Emma and Kyle coming out on top at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. </span></p> <p><span>Following her incredible show in the pool at Tokyo, Emma became <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/emma-mckeon-shines-on-australia-s-best-ever-day-in-olympic-history-very-very-special" target="_blank">Australia's most decorated Olympian</a> ever, with her seven medals bringing up her career total to 11 Olympic awards.</span></p> <p><span>The 27-year-old blitzed her competition, winning gold in the 50m freestyle, 100m free, 4x100 women’s medley and freestyle relays, and bronze in the 100m butterfly, 4x100m mixed medley relay and 4x200m freestyle relay.</span></p> <p>Kyle went on to win a silver medal in the 100m freestyle, when he was unable to defend his 2016 gold position in the race by a small margin. </p> <p><span>He also won bronze in the men’s 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle races, including breaking the individual 100m world record</span></p> <p><span>Following their hotel quarantine, Emma and Kyle headed to Europe which churned the rumour mill, as they giggled and flirted their way through a London Roar podcast last week, speaking of plans to remain in Europe for the remainder of the season.</span></p> <p><span>The romance reportedly began after Kyle split with fellow Aussie swim star Madison Wilson, who was McKeon’s relay partner at the Olympics, having dated since 2015.</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

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Aussie Olympians receive hefty bonuses from billionaire Harry Triguboff

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Australian athletes who took home medals from the Tokyo Olympics are set to receive an additional bonus from billionaire Harry Triguboff AO, with athletes to be awarded an extra $5,000 per medal they won.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) revealed that Triguboff, the Meriton Managing Director, donated $645,000 to the organisation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The AOC said the donation was an “unsolicited gesture” and “unexpected bonus” for Australia’s top athletes.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Thank you Harry Triguboff AO! 👉<a href="https://t.co/TXDlTlqTGv">https://t.co/TXDlTlqTGv</a><br /><br />The <a href="https://twitter.com/MeritonGroup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MeritonGroup</a> Managing Director has donated $5,000 to each of the 99 Australian Olympic Team members who won 129 medals at the Tokyo Olympics. 🥇🥈🥉<br /><br />📸 Sam Ruttyn / <a href="https://twitter.com/dailytelegraph?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dailytelegraph</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TokyoTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TokyoTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Ou2CI44aw">pic.twitter.com/7Ou2CI44aw</a></p> — AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) <a href="https://twitter.com/AUSOlympicTeam/status/1433379955094790148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Harry is hugely proud of what our team achieved in Tokyo, and for him to say ‘thank you’ in this way is hugely generous and most unexpected,” AOC President John Coates said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The donation is per medal, so for those Olympians whose efforts were rewarded with multiple medals, it will make coming home to family and friends all the sweeter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“On behalf of the AOC, and in particular our 99 medal winners, we say thank you Harry.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Triguboff, who has a fortune of $17.27 billion, stressed the importance of rewarding athletes during the pandemic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are always successful at the Olympic Games. However, this time it was especially important because we are close to recession and many people have been impacted by the virus,” Triguboff said, per the AOC.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The medallists in Tokyo made us all very happy and we were glued to the television and were only thinking of our athletes during this difficult time.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The news comes as pay disparities between Olympic and Paralympic athletes have come into the spotlight, with a SBS report revealing that Paralympians do not and have ever received the same performance bonus.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The superhumans get nothing??? That’s a disgrace. <br />“Australian Olympians who won gold at the Tokyo Games received $20,000. Our Paralympians will get zero” <a href="https://t.co/OCd93DzXIW">https://t.co/OCd93DzXIW</a></p> — 🩴 Annie Parker 🩴 #SmashThePatriarchy #FullyVaxed (@annie_parker) <a href="https://twitter.com/annie_parker/status/1431553390706925573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prime Minister Scott Morrison has since announced that Paralympic athletes who win medals at the Games would receive the same bonuses as Olympic athletes from now on.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gold medal winners will receive $20,000, while silver and bronze medallists will be awarded $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: AUS Olympic Team / Twitter</span></em></p>

Money & Banking

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Olympian who beat bone cancer sells medal to save toddler

<p>Olympic medallist Maria Andrejczyk has decided to auction off her silver medal for a very worthwhile cause. </p> <p>The Polish athlete, who won the silver medal for her outstanding performance in javelin, is auctioning off the medal to help fun a toddler's life-saving heart surgery.</p> <p>After beating bone cancer herself, the Olympian wants to help the young boy and his family pay for the operation, which comes with a hefty cost of $246,000.</p> <p>The 25-year-old athlete took to her Facebook page to call for her fans to help her. </p> <p>She said, â€œMiloszek has a serious heart defect. He needs an operation."</p> <p>“He already has a head start from Kubus — a boy who didn’t make it in time but whose amazing parents decided to pass on the funds they collected."</p> <p>“And in this way, I also want to help. It’s for him that I am auctioning my Olympic silver medal.”</p> <p>Maria missed out on an Olympic medal at Rio in 2016, before having to sit out the following year for a shoulder injury, which later led to her cancer diagnosis in 2018. </p> <p>After making it to the podium in Japan, she explained why she will be using her medal to help those in need. </p> <p>On a Polish television show, she said, â€œThe true value of a medal always remains in the heart. A medal is only an object, but it can be of great value to others."</p> <p>“This silver can save lives, instead of collecting dust in a closet. That is why I decided to auction it to help sick children.”</p> <p>Maria's personal best of 71.4 metres is the third longest ever thrown by a woman in javelin, but her kind action will go much further. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

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Olympian hospitalised after brutal one-punch assault

<p>Irish Olympian Jack Woolley, 22, has been hospitalised in Dublin after being punched in the face in a random attack.</p> <p>Woolley competed at the Tokyo Olympics in taekwondo and was assaulted “out of the blue” by a stranger, shortly after midnight on Saturday night.</p> <p>He was taken to Dublin’s St. James’ Hospital for facial reconstructive surgery, as he share d the news from his hospital bed on his social media profile.</p> <p>“Last night I went for a meal with my friend. Followed by a bar for a couple of drinks,” Woolley posted.</p> <p>“Heading back along the River Liffey a gang of roughly 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk</p> <p>“Unfortunately I was victim to these random attacks as I was just walking by before I was punched in the face by one of these group members.</p> <p>“Only one punch and followed by ‘my mistake wrong person’ then they continued to run off down the road attacking more civilians minding their own business.</p> <p>“Luckily I was able to phone an ambulance and stay conscious.</p> <p>“My friends helped me throughout all over this and I’m glad to say they both are well and safe.”</p> <p>Woolley added he would be undergoing surgery on his mouth.</p> <p>According to local reports, police are investigating the assault.</p> <p>The <em>Irish Times</em> stated: “One man, aged in his 20s, was conveyed to St James’s Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident.”</p> <p>“No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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"Grandpa, we did it": Olympian weeps over handwritten note

<p>American athlete Ryan Crouser made headlines on Thursday after a sentimental handwritten note caught everyone's attention. </p> <p>After winning gold in the men's shot put final, Crouser held up a note that read "Grandpa, we did it. 2020 Olympic champion!"</p> <p>The 28-year-old broke his own Olympic record that he set at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and showcased the emotional letter in celebration with tears in his eyes.</p> <p>Crouser explained, “I held up a sign at the end and that was for my grandpa. He passed away just over a week ago. … He’s been my biggest fan."</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 339.4515223493846px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842900/ryan-crouser-medal.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/048c035944544768813b1758042abce6" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p> <p>"I held the note because, at the end, he lost his hearing so I would write whatever I wanted to say to him and he would read it and answer back."</p> <p>"That was the last note that I wanted to write to him, that I didn’t get the chance to. I know he was here with me in spirit."</p> <p>Crouser took to the podium alongside another American athlete taking out the silver, and New Zealand claiming the bronze. </p> <p>Crouser's beaming smile was bursting with pride as he won another medal for his country, and in turn, his grandfather. </p> <p>He said, <span>“I know he would be proud if he was here and I felt like he was here watching me. It was definitely a special day.”</span></p> <p><span><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></span></p>

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“Unacceptable behaviour”: Aussie Olympians blasted for rowdy flight home

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A written complaint from Japan Air Lines to the Australian Olympic Committee has placed the Olyroos and rugby Seven’s mens Olympic teams under immediate investigation during their flight home.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both teams were engaging in rowdy and unsafe behaviour during the 10-hour flight from Tokyo to Sydney, with passengers telling News Corp they were “loud, singing, refusing to sit down when requested, rowdy and obnoxious”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Obviously they weren’t wearing their masks as they were drinking all the time,” said one passenger from the flight which touched down on Friday morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About five hours into the flight, some players were drunk and more than one began vomiting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The athletes refused to listen to instructions from airline staff to sit down and stop taking alcohol from the galley at the rear of the plane, to the frustration of the staff on board.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The soccer players were sitting at the rear of the plane while the rugby players were seated near the front, with the antics starting when some of the rugby players came to the back.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Players hadn’t seen each other during the Olympics and so this was the first time they had a chance to catch up,” one source said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another passenger and member of the Australian Olympic Team said he was “mortified” by the players’ behaviour.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rugby team was also read the riot act by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) in a separate incident, where players left their team meeting room in poor condition after a night of partying prior to their departure from Japan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a statement, Rugby Australia said they have been made aware of the incident during the flight.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Rugby Australia has begun its own internal investigation into the matter based on the information provided by the AOC,” the statement said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A spokesperson from Football Australia said it was aware of the behaviour and will also investigate the incident.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Football Australia is discussing the matter with the AOC and is taking responsibility to investigate the involvement of any footballer.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll said the behaviour was “extremely disappointing”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But both Rugby and Football have told me that such behaviour is certainly not acceptable within their sports and have sincerely apologised to the Australian Olympic Team. The CEOs have undertaken to take the appropriate action and report back to us,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The athletes remain under the control of the AOC until they exit two weeks of quarantine.</span></p>

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“I’m in shock”: Olympian stuns the world with “impossible” run

<p><span>Norway’s Karsten Warholm has had an incredible run by smashing his own “impossible” world record, taking the gold in the men's 400m hurdles.</span><br /><br /><span>Warholm clocked in at a remarkable 45.94 seconds.</span><br /><br /><span>He beat his previous world best of 46.70sec.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842812/norway-world-record-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a6da1c59057416f9b46990d2d57993b" /></p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p> <p><span>He went head to head with American Rai Benjamin, who came under the previous world record mark and won silver.</span><br /><br /><span>Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos claimed bronze in 46.72.</span><br /><br /><span>Warholm’s feat is something never-before-seen, as only four runners in history have ever clocked sub-47sec times, let alone sub-46.</span><br /><br /><span>Seven of the eight runners also recorded their personal best times.</span><br /><br /><span>The race was one that came down to the final 20m.</span><br /><br /><span>As Warholm’s world record time flashed on the big screen, he roared and ripped open his shirt.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842813/norway-world-record.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/60445dd9738a4b799bc26111795783a6" /></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em><br /><br /><span>Aussie icon and commentator Bruce McAvaney, described the win as one of the most iconic performances ever seen at the Olympics.</span><br /><br /><span>He said it competed with Usain Bolt's 9.63sec 100m run at the London Olympics.</span><br /><br /><span>"It will go down as the greatest 400m hurdles ever run and arguably the greatest race we have seen at an Olympic Games. What a contest," McAvaney said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Karsten Warholm's 45.95 in the 400-meter hurdles took .75 of a second off of the world record.<br /><br />To take that much off of the WR in an event human beings have been running for 120+ years should not be possible. It should not be possible!</p> — Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgault13/status/1422399636698923010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Former Aussie athletics star Tamsyn Manou said the shock of the race left her speechless.</span><br /><br /><span>"I'm in shock. Bruce, I'm in shock. I cannot believe for the men's 400m hurdles there is a 45 second run," she said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Ppl, I don’t think you realize what you just watched. A man just ran Sub 46 in the 400M Hurdles. That’s Beamon’s jump in Mexico City, Bolt’s sub 9.6 in 100 meters. I saw Kevin Young run 46.78 in Barcelona, still can’t believe Warholm ran that fast. Geeeeezzz</p> — shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShannonSharpe/status/1422400410812252165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>"We've taken this event to a place where I don't think anybody (expected).</span><br /><br /><span>"Everybody was talking about a world record, but I don't think anybody would have said it will be won in sub-46 seconds."</span><br /><br /><span>American sports commentator Tom Harrington said: "That 400 meters hurdles was the greatest in history".</span></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Australia’s oldest living Olympian turns 100

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frank Prihoda, Australia’s oldest living Olympian, is celebrating his 100th birthday today at his home in Thredbo Village in the NSW Snowy Mountains.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Born into the Great Depression, Mr Prihoda has experienced both highs and lows across his century of life, including early tragedy, defection, emigration, running a business, and fulfilling an Olympic dream.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Prihoda was born in 1921 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and learned to ski as a child with his older sister Sasha.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His passion and talent saw him eventually representing a country on the other side of the world, when he competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics Games on the Australian team in the giant slalom and slalom events.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recalling the achievement, Mr Prihoda said inadequate snow cover almost jeopardised the races, held at the Italian venue in Cortina D’Ampezzo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Because of the lack of snow, we were concerned, would it be held?” Mr Prihoda recalled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The day before the race, the fire brigade came to the slope and sprayed the whole mountain with water. It froze. It was like an ice-skating rink.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a result, a lot of racers came to grief [at] the third gate … I managed to hang on but I didn’t really measure up. I finished in the middle of the field.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Prihoda continued to ski until he was 90.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sometimes I miss it of course,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You get these moods and think, ‘What a pity, I would love to be up there’. But it doesn’t bother me all that much now.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his early life, Mr Prihoda faced trials off the slopes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the unexpected deaths of his parents in 1937, Mr Prihoda, who was just 16, took over the family’s artificial flower manufacturing business and managed it through World War II.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Czechoslovakia became communist, he escaped the country on his skis, entering Austria before he and his family emigrated to Melbourne in 1950.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I knew there was snow in Australia, so I brought my skis with me,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though he started business ventures involving artificial flowers, furniture, and textiles, Mr Prihoda would take to the slopes at Mount Buller, in the Victorian Alps, when he could.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While skiing there, his talent was quickly spotted and he would eventually be selected for the 1956 Olympic team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Years after his Olympic ventures, Mr Prihoda would move from Victoria to the NSW Snowy Mountains in 1974, as both his fellow Olympian sister and a childhood friend were already there.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My sister was a racing star in Europe,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She and her husband Karel Nekvapil opened a lodge in 1959, which is now called Black Bear Inn.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I had a close contact with Thredbo for many years before I came to settle in.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Prihoda ran a gift shop, Frank’s Store, at Thredbo for 27 years until he retired at 80.</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: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRCmwOPnA-s/?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/tv/CRCmwOPnA-s/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Thredbo Resort (@thredboresort)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Mr Prihoda celebrates his birthday, he will be surrounded by the familiar scenery of snow and mountains.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Thredbo Resort</span></em></p>

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