
Athletics Australia says it's making a 'bold' rebrand to 'Australian Athletics'
MELBOURNE, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Athletics Australia is rebranding to "Australian Athletics" - a move that might appear subtle to most people but which the sports federation said would provide a "bold, new identity" to allow it to capitalise on a golden era ahead.
The change, unveiled with a new logo on Wednesday, ends the old brand's 36-year run.
"Australian Athletics (AA) enters 2025 with a bold, new identity, unveiling a rebrand that reflects the sport's evolution and growth, connects to its storied legacy, and sets its sights on an exciting future," AA said in a statement.
Australia has enjoyed a resurgence in track and field in recent years, with their athletes winning seven medals at the Paris Olympics, including a first women's field gold to pole vaulter Nina Kennedy.
It was the nation's best Games haul since 1956 in Melbourne when the hosts took 12 medals, including four gold.
Locally, the sport has enjoyed a massive boost in profile with the emergence of 17-year-old sprinter Gout Gout whose eye-catching 100 and 200 metres times last year went viral on social media and drew praise from Usain Bolt.

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The Guardian
40 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Olympian Heath Ryan suspended by Equestrian Australia for allegedly whipping horse
Australian Olympian, Heath Ryan, has been suspended from national and international equestrian competition after a video emerged that appears to show him repeatedly striking a horse with a whip. Ryan, who represented Australia in dressage at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, acknowledged the video in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday. The 66-year-old defended the incident in his statement as part of a 'rescue mission' in rehabilitating a problem horse. 'The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced,' Ryan said, going on to add that the six-year-old horse, Nico, had been 'dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery' after his former rider had an accident on the horse which resulted in them going to intensive care. Ryan said the incident was filmed two years ago and added that he 'felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable' and had 'never ridden anything like it'. 'I am so sad this was caught on video,' Ryan said. 'If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options.' Ryan said the video was from that first ride, and that over the next few rides Nico 'started to go without the use of excessive driving aids'. The horse was then sold to another Grand Prix dressage rider. 'All of this transpired sincerely with the horse's best interests the sole consideration,' Ryan said. 'Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. 'What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico… All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission.' Ryan was suspended from Equestrian Australia, the national governing body, on Thursday, after it received a formal complaint. The suspension was mirrored by the international sporting organisation, the FEI. Equestrian Australia said that it was 'extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage'. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion 'Equestrian Australia is aware of footage posted on social media showing a person repeatedly whipping a horse,' it said. 'The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia.' The governing body said a provisional suspension had been imposed pending an investigation by its integrity unit. It also denied claims it had requested the footage be taken down. 'Equestrian Australian takes matters of animal welfare very seriously,' it said. The suspension comes as the international dressage world is still trying to restore its social licence following another horse whipping scandal involving Great Britain's three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, who received a one-year suspension from international competition after video of her whipping a horse was released on the eve of the 2024 Paris Games.


Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Czech Republic U21 1 England U21 3: Harvey Elliott sends message to Slot as Three Lions get Euros defence off to flyer
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Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Mo Farah's British 5000m record finally broken after 14 years
George Mills set a new British record in the men's 5000m as he finished fourth at the Diamond League in Oslo on Thursday night. Sir Mo Farah had held the British 5000m record for 14 years after he set a time of 12 minutes and 53 seconds at a Diamond League meeting in Monaco in July 2011. But Mills, who is the son of former Leeds United and England defender Danny Mills, smashed Farah's record by over six seconds as he ran 12 minutes and 46 seconds. The 26-year-old, who represented Team GB in the 1500m at the Olympics in Paris last year, has also become the second-fastest European of all time after Spain's Mohamed Katir broke Jakob Ingebrigtsen's record in 2023 with a time of 12 minutes and 45 seconds. Mills continues to impress this season after he won silver in the 3000m at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in March and gold in the 3000m at the British Indoor Athletics Championships in February. NEW BRITISH RECORD 🔥George Mills breaks Sir Mo Farah's 5000m record by more than six seconds with a stunning run at the Oslo Diamond League 👏He becomes the second-fastest European of all time 💪 — Team GB (@TeamGB) June 12, 2025 Mills wasn't the only one who made history in the 5000m race on Thursday night as Nico Young broke the American record by winning the race. More Trending The 22-year-old, who finished 12th in the 10,000m at the Olympics last year, won with a time of 12 minutes and 45 seconds. Elsewhere, Norwegian Karsten Warholm set a new world record in the men's 300m hurdles with a time of 32.67 seconds, beating his previous record of 33.05. The 300m hurdles is not contested at major athletics meets such as the Olympics and the World Championships. Warholm is also the world record holder in the men's 400m hurdles and won gold at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, and silver in Paris last year. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Tom Daley: 'I've blocked out so many traumatic parts of my childhood' MORE: I found Tom Daley's new documentary heartbreaking and uncomfortable – but it's a vital watch