logo
'I have 9 lives': Canadian diver reflects on terrifying cliff fall, overcoming near-death experience

'I have 9 lives': Canadian diver reflects on terrifying cliff fall, overcoming near-death experience

Yahoo17-07-2025
After a near-death experience slipping off a 22-foot diving cliff, Canadian diver Molly Carlson says she'll celebrate the next time she gets on the diving board again.
The 26-year old was competing at the second stop of the Red Bull cliff diving World Series in Polignano a Mare, Italy, on June 28th, when the fall happened, leading her to drop out of the competition.
"Watching it again, it's always terrifying. You don't expect yourself to slip off a 22-metre platform after years of doing it perfectly," Carlson told CBC Sports.
"I'm just really proud of myself for knowing what to do in the air in such a scary situation."
WATCH | Molly Carlson joins CBC Sports to discuss traumatic slip:
The next morning, the diver woke up with a black bruise covering the sole of her right foot.
"I was like, okay, I need to be smart about this," she said. "The shock is over. I am in pain. Let's just make sure that I'm good for the world championships. And so I flew home early and I got an X-ray and it was all clear."
Carlson, who has been outspoken about struggles with anxiety, says that her first instinct after the fall was to feel like she let down her sponsors and country.
Now, she's rewriting her own narrative and celebrating her courage on the diving board.
"I live with anxiety, and I know that other people do too," she said. "And for me, I'm just trying to really find deep down like, 'You have to do this for you. You can't be jumping off platforms for other reasons. You can't be trying to people-please the whole time.'"Later this month, Carlson will compete in Singapore for Team Canada at the World Aquatics Championships 2025.
As she prepares to return to the world stage, supportive teammates are what grounds the diver, she says.
"Knowing that I have my coach, I have my teammates, I have Summer McIntosh ready to come cheer for me at the World Championships," Carlson said. "I think that's the coolest thing ever, and I just can't wait to prove to everyone that I can do this dive."
While Carlson is gunning for the podium at World's — becoming a world champion has always been a dream — her greater goal is to inspire those watching.
"At the end of the day, I've learned that success is so much more than outcomes. It's absolutely about how much you can connect with the audience, how much you can inspire," she said.
"It is truly through inspiration, and I hope that I am helping someone out there feel less alone."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

U.S. politics threaten to complicate Canada's co-hosting of 2026 World Cup
U.S. politics threaten to complicate Canada's co-hosting of 2026 World Cup

Yahoo

time26 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

U.S. politics threaten to complicate Canada's co-hosting of 2026 World Cup

OTTAWA — With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host the tournament. Next year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams. Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S. With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies — which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations — are generating anxiety. "This is all being driven by the United States. And we're entirely the guilty party here," said Victor Matheson, a professor at College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts who specializes in sports economics. "You could have significant immigration problems with fans and players going across borders." The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries. Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump's administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts. Economist Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote a book on the economics of hosting the World Cup, said Trump has the ability to make it difficult for people to travel, but it's not clear whether he will actually do so. "I think probably Trump himself might not have the answers because … he responds very impetuously to changes in his environment," he said. Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead, Zimbalist suggested. But he also pointed out that the quarter, semifinals and final are all taking place in the U.S. A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said Canada could see a million international visitors during the tournament. "Given the tri-national nature of the event, it is anticipated that international and domestic travellers will move back and forth between Canada and the United States. The focus will continue to be on the flow of movement, the safety of travellers and the security of the borders," the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA "in the safety and security planning for this international event." Matheson said fans — particularly those from countries that have found themselves in Trump's crosshairs — have good reasons to be worried. "I would be very concerned about planning a vacation that has you travelling from Mexico or from Canada into the United States and back. I don't think that you can guarantee that vacation of a lifetime is actually going to be there for you to actually take," he said. He said it's one thing to be denied entry, another to end up in jail and deported — potentially to a prison in El Salvador. "No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail," he said. Trump's moves to impose tariffs on much of the world, including Canada, could also affect the World Cup. Matheson offered the example of someone who makes jerseys for a country's team who would want to ship those jerseys across the border with the team. "Tariffs make that type of inventory management pretty challenging," he said. Tim Elcombe is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University whose areas of expertise include sports, politics and international affairs. He said "there was a sense that having the event in Canada, the United States and Mexico would almost be a bit of a calming of the political waters," as the cup returned to Western countries. Instead, he said, the 2026 tournament may be even more politically charged than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Canada is co-hosting one of world's biggest sporting events with a country whose president has instigated a trade war and threatened annexation. Canadians have cut travel to the U.S. and stopped buying American products — and it's not clear what all of that might mean for the World Cup. While Vancouver and Toronto will host some games, "really this is an American-centric competition," Elcombe said. "So how will Canadians feel about this? Will we get behind it? Will it become the event I think they were hoping it would be?" In early July, labour and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to say U.S. policies under Trump pose a "serious threat" to individuals, especially non-citizens. The letter accused FIFA of ignoring "the clear evidence of the significant deterioration of the rights climate in the United States." Elcombe said while the United States is likely to take the brunt of scrutiny, Canada is not immune. "Canada is going to have to be prepared for a very critical eye in terms of focus on some of the issues in Canada from a human rights perspective, because I think they will be exposed," he said, citing Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples as one example. MacIntosh Ross, a fellow at the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at Saint Mary's University, said Canada should put pressure on the U.S. government "to make sure that things happen in a safe or as safe a manner as possible." "The Canadian organizers and the Canadian government need to be very clear about their expectations for their partners in this World Cup and reiterate them and state them over and over again," he said. Elcombe noted Infantino, who has "very much established himself as a friend and supporter of President Trump," could be a key player in determining how the coming months unfold. It's difficult to predict what Trump might do, Zimbalist said. If there are political issues in the United States that he wants to distract people from, "you can see him doing crazier and crazier things internationally to get people's minds off of what's actually happening." But Trump also has shown that he cares about the World Cup and looking good as he hosts the tournament. "I think he does care about image and he does care about being on the world stage," Zimbalist said. "So I can see that being a significant deterrent, actually." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2025. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Video: Roma fans welcome Wesley as Brazil defender arrives for medical
Video: Roma fans welcome Wesley as Brazil defender arrives for medical

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Video: Roma fans welcome Wesley as Brazil defender arrives for medical

Several Roma fans welcomed Wesley at Fiumicino Airport as the Brazilian right-back arrived to undergo medical tests and sign his contract with the Giallorossi. Wesley is ready to join Roma and become the third summer signing in the capital. The 21-year-old landed at Fiumicino Airport on Sunday morning, receiving a warm welcome from several Giallorossi supporters. Roma will pay €25m, plus €5m in add-ons, to secure his signature. Wesley will return to Brazil after completing his move to Roma, as he needs to finalise the documents required for his transfer to Italy. He will only start working with his new club in the coming days. #Wesley a #Roma — Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) July 27, 2025 🔥 La calda accoglienza riservata dai tifosi della #Roma a #Wesley#ASRoma 🟨🟥 — Il Romanista (@ilRomanistaweb) July 27, 2025 Wesley comments on Roma transfer Wesley discussed his move to Roma before taking off from Brazil on Saturday. 'I'm making a dream come true, but at the same time, a piece of my heart is breaking too, because I am leaving,' said the 21-year-old. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 13: Wesley of Flamengo controls the ball during the match between Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro as part of Brasileirao 2024 at Maracana Stadium on November 13, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by) 'I thank God for what he is doing in my life, I thank the fans, everyone. As I always say in interviews, if it weren't for the criticism, I wouldn't be who I am today. I know there is still a long way to go and I must evolve, but it is through dealing with criticism that I learned to turn things around.'

Exclusive: Cagliari ready to push for Inter striker Esposito
Exclusive: Cagliari ready to push for Inter striker Esposito

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Exclusive: Cagliari ready to push for Inter striker Esposito

Cagliari are ready to resume talks with Inter for Sebastiano Esposito as the Sardinians are determined to reach an agreement for the Italian striker. Cagliari are set to resume talks with Inter for Sebastiano Esposito. Cagliari set to push for Esposito epa11764793 Empoli's Sebastiano Esposito celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Empoli FC in Verona, Italy, 08 December 2024. EPA-EFE/Emanuele Pennnacchio The Rossoblu first made contact with the Nerazzurri on July 2, and the club owned by Tommaso Giulini is determined to push for the ex-Empoli loanee in the coming days. Esposito has one year left in his contract at San Siro, and Inter value him at €7m. Esposito attracted interest from other Serie A clubs VENICE, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Sebastiano Esposito of Empoli celebrates with their teammates after scoring his team's equalizing goal during the Serie A match between Venezia and Empoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on January 04, 2025 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by) Esposito, scorer of eight goals in 33 Serie A appearances with Empoli last season, has also attracted interest from Fiorentina and Parma who have both sounded out the striker's availability. I had already mentioned him for a possible player-plus-cash swap deal with Parma for Giovanni Leoni, but Inter's current priority is the signing of Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. Cagliari are eager to reach an agreement with Inter as talks will resume in the following days. Esposito played for Inter in the Club World Cup earlier this summer after spending the 2024-25 season on loan at Empoli.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store