Sport Australia Hall of Fame aims to ‘inspire' next generation of Australian athletes
'It's an ongoing program over a 12-month period, but interestingly enough, of course, these relationships continue well beyond,' Mr Bertrand said.
'Our vision was to inspire the next generation of young Australians to achieve their potential, both in sport and in their life.'
In partnership with Harvey Norman.
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
It would be tragic not to tour Australia: Farrell
Coach Andy Farrell has insisted that the debate over Australia's future as a British and Irish Lions tour destination is "insulting". The Lions are seeking to complete a series whitewash when the rivals clash for the final time in Sydney on Saturday. Australian rugby is facing significant challenges on and off the field and is the weakest of the three nations visited by the elite of British and Irish rugby, with South Africa and New Zealand completing the 12-year rotation. Furthermore, there is growing support for the Lions to visit France because of the strength of their national side and club game, as well as the commercial possibilities. The Wallabies answered their critics at Melbourne Cricket Ground by taking the second Test to the wire in an all-time classic before falling 2-0 behind in the series when Hugo Keenan struck with 51 seconds left. When asked if Australia had earned the right to host another tour, Farrell replied: "It was never off the agenda, in my opinion. "Every single team, country and province have their ups and downs but Australia - the sporting nation that they are - are always going to come back. "Have a look at the year they've got coming up. Come the 2027 World Cup they're going to be a force to be reckoned with, 100 per cent. "It would be tragic not to tour here. We've had a blast. To me its insulting to talk about it in that kind of way." Farrell's success as Lions head coach - as well as his obvious passion for the concept - makes him overwhelming favourite to lead the next tour to New Zealand, but he is refusing to look beyond attending an Oasis concert at Croke Park upon his return home. "Would I do this again? Give me a break would you! Let me get through Saturday. I have absolutely loved every single minute and I knew I would because I just love everything that the Lions is about," he said. "Thinking about the future is not something that is on my mind until I get home and have a bit of reflection on the whole thing. "I'm definitely going to Oasis and that's why I'm going home! I'll be taking a few friends. There are a few coaches here that are trying to get on the bandwagon."
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Marchand stuns world with ‘crazy' world record in semi-final as O'Callaghan wins more gold
Breaking Michael Phelps' 'untouchable' 400 individual medley world record two years ago. Winning two individual Olympic gold medals in 118 minutes at the La Defense Arena. But eclipsing Ryan Lochte's 2011 world record in the 200m medley — and not just by a fraction — stamped his brilliance once more. Most swimmers chase the world record line with their fingertips. The time, the world record line was trying to catch Marchand's feet, which are certainly not size 17s like Ian Thorpe, but do the trick. Marchand touched the wall in 1:52.69 and even he was blown away by a time faster than Mark Spitz' 200m freestyle effort during his seven gold medal blitz at the 1972 Munich Olympics. 'I actually can't really believe it right now,' Marchand said. 'It's unbelievable for me. What's crazy is that it's a whole second. A 1:52 on the 200m — that's insane. I'm so happy, it's just incredible.' Marchand, who studied computer science at college in the US, dropped both the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke this year to target world records in the 200m and 400m individual medleys. He spent the early part of this year in Brisbane training with Boxall and his St Peter's Western squad, which features the likes of O'Callaghan and Will Petric. Petric, swimming in lane one of the semi, finished 5.52 seconds behind Marchand. In between surfing trips to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Marchand spent time with Boxall honing his freestyle. 'That group was really welcoming from the first week. They are amazing,' Marchand said in an interview with SwimSwam earlier this year. 'It was a great experience. I have learned a lot about getting better at freestyle. That group is really good for that.' A few lanes over during those sessions, O'Callaghan was rediscovering her love for swimming after her 200m freestyle gold medal in Paris. On Wednesday night, she delivered again. O'Callaghan (1:53.48) swam a clinical race, using American Claire Weinstein to set the early pace before charging home in the final lap to win by 1.04 seconds. 'A positive environment definitely makes a world of difference,' O'Callaghan said. 'It is nice to come to a pool and feel at home. 'Coming here was one of the last things I thought I would do. At the start of the year if you told me I'd be world champion again, I would be shocked.' Australia had two genuine gold medal chances on night four. They left with one – and a case of what might have been. The team was rocked by a food poisoning drama after Short announced he would not line up in the 800m freestyle final. Short won a silver medal in the event at the 2023 world championships and was the second-fastest qualifier for the final. He was aiming to become the first Australian to win world championships gold in the 800m freestyle since Grant Hackett in 2005. Tunisia's Ahmed Jaouadi took the gold in a time of 7:36.88, just under Short's personal best of 7:37.76. Swimming Australia says no other athletes have been affected. 'For him to not be able to swim tonight, you know he's not feeling well because he's an ultra competitor,' said Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor. The unexpected story of the night was Turner, who not only won bronze but broke Nick D'Arcy's Australian record in the 200m butterfly. Turner wasn't expected to make the team — let alone the podium — but has dropped massive personal bests in recent months. Loading 'I never thought I'd be actually talking to you guys … this is something I dream about,' Turner said. At the halfway mark of these world championships, the Dolphins still lead the medal tally on four golds, one ahead of the USA. There's a world where Short already has two golds in Singapore. Instead, he has a silver in the 400m freestyle — by 0.02 seconds — and a sore stomach that will be monitored in coming days. He hopes to be right for the 4x200m freestyle relay. Kaylee McKeown's absence from the 50m backstroke may have cost Australia another gold medal on the tally. Throw in the fact Ariarne Titmus is taking a year off. But if Marchand and Canada's Summer McIntosh keep pinching golds off the Americans, Australia may just be about to party like it's Fukuoka 2023 — or even 2001 — all over again.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
O'Callaghan on cusp of record with relay gold at worlds
Swim star Mollie O'Callaghan has equalled the golden haul of a legend by anchoring another Australian relay triumph at the world titles. O'Callaghan has helped Australia's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team secure gold in Singapore on Thursday night. The 21-year-old has 11 career golds at world titles, equalling the Australian record of Ian Thorpe. O'Callaghan is favourite to win her 12th gold in the 100m freestyle on Friday night - she was fastest through the semis before swimming the relay. "It was pretty rough backing it up ... (but) it's a dream to be part of this team," she said. The victory of O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Jamie Perkins and Brittany Castelluzzo was Australia's third relay gold of the titles and came as the Dolphins also bagged two bronze medals on Thursday night. Kyle Chalmers (men's 100m freestyle) and Lizzie Dekkers (women's 200m butterfly) both reached the podium. Australia retain top spot on the medal tally with five golds, one silver and five bronze. The United States (four gold) is next best. Dolphins stalwart Chalmers remains bullish of breaking a personal barrier after finishing behind Romania's sizzling David Popovici, who clocked the second-fastest time ever - 46.51 seconds - and American Jack Alexy (46.92). Chalmers touched in 47.17 - he is yet to swim the race in less than 47 seconds, which is now the realm of world winners. "Those guys saw a 46.4 last year and everyone has been training and believing they can swim 46 now - and 46 has become the new normal," Chalmers said. "It's amazing how stacked that race is now." Chalmers has twice logged personal best times of 47.08 and, at the age of 27, believes he can improve. "I was never going to swim 46.5, or around that mark, unfortunately, I would have loved to see 46 next to my name," he said. "But I'm really, really proud of that performance. To come away with a medal in such a stacked final is something I'm extremely proud of." Earlier Thursday night, Dekkers took the bronze in a women's 200m butterfly won by Canadian star Summer McIntosh - the 18-year-old's third gold of the titles. "Physically, I'm not at my best," said Dekkers, a late call-up to the team when Abbey Connor withdrew for personal reasons. "So I knew that mentally, I had to be there ... I love racing, and that's why we all do this, because there's something about standing behind the blocks that we all love." Swim star Mollie O'Callaghan has equalled the golden haul of a legend by anchoring another Australian relay triumph at the world titles. O'Callaghan has helped Australia's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team secure gold in Singapore on Thursday night. The 21-year-old has 11 career golds at world titles, equalling the Australian record of Ian Thorpe. O'Callaghan is favourite to win her 12th gold in the 100m freestyle on Friday night - she was fastest through the semis before swimming the relay. "It was pretty rough backing it up ... (but) it's a dream to be part of this team," she said. The victory of O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Jamie Perkins and Brittany Castelluzzo was Australia's third relay gold of the titles and came as the Dolphins also bagged two bronze medals on Thursday night. Kyle Chalmers (men's 100m freestyle) and Lizzie Dekkers (women's 200m butterfly) both reached the podium. Australia retain top spot on the medal tally with five golds, one silver and five bronze. The United States (four gold) is next best. Dolphins stalwart Chalmers remains bullish of breaking a personal barrier after finishing behind Romania's sizzling David Popovici, who clocked the second-fastest time ever - 46.51 seconds - and American Jack Alexy (46.92). Chalmers touched in 47.17 - he is yet to swim the race in less than 47 seconds, which is now the realm of world winners. "Those guys saw a 46.4 last year and everyone has been training and believing they can swim 46 now - and 46 has become the new normal," Chalmers said. "It's amazing how stacked that race is now." Chalmers has twice logged personal best times of 47.08 and, at the age of 27, believes he can improve. "I was never going to swim 46.5, or around that mark, unfortunately, I would have loved to see 46 next to my name," he said. "But I'm really, really proud of that performance. To come away with a medal in such a stacked final is something I'm extremely proud of." Earlier Thursday night, Dekkers took the bronze in a women's 200m butterfly won by Canadian star Summer McIntosh - the 18-year-old's third gold of the titles. "Physically, I'm not at my best," said Dekkers, a late call-up to the team when Abbey Connor withdrew for personal reasons. "So I knew that mentally, I had to be there ... I love racing, and that's why we all do this, because there's something about standing behind the blocks that we all love." Swim star Mollie O'Callaghan has equalled the golden haul of a legend by anchoring another Australian relay triumph at the world titles. O'Callaghan has helped Australia's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team secure gold in Singapore on Thursday night. The 21-year-old has 11 career golds at world titles, equalling the Australian record of Ian Thorpe. O'Callaghan is favourite to win her 12th gold in the 100m freestyle on Friday night - she was fastest through the semis before swimming the relay. "It was pretty rough backing it up ... (but) it's a dream to be part of this team," she said. The victory of O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Jamie Perkins and Brittany Castelluzzo was Australia's third relay gold of the titles and came as the Dolphins also bagged two bronze medals on Thursday night. Kyle Chalmers (men's 100m freestyle) and Lizzie Dekkers (women's 200m butterfly) both reached the podium. Australia retain top spot on the medal tally with five golds, one silver and five bronze. The United States (four gold) is next best. Dolphins stalwart Chalmers remains bullish of breaking a personal barrier after finishing behind Romania's sizzling David Popovici, who clocked the second-fastest time ever - 46.51 seconds - and American Jack Alexy (46.92). Chalmers touched in 47.17 - he is yet to swim the race in less than 47 seconds, which is now the realm of world winners. "Those guys saw a 46.4 last year and everyone has been training and believing they can swim 46 now - and 46 has become the new normal," Chalmers said. "It's amazing how stacked that race is now." Chalmers has twice logged personal best times of 47.08 and, at the age of 27, believes he can improve. "I was never going to swim 46.5, or around that mark, unfortunately, I would have loved to see 46 next to my name," he said. "But I'm really, really proud of that performance. To come away with a medal in such a stacked final is something I'm extremely proud of." Earlier Thursday night, Dekkers took the bronze in a women's 200m butterfly won by Canadian star Summer McIntosh - the 18-year-old's third gold of the titles. "Physically, I'm not at my best," said Dekkers, a late call-up to the team when Abbey Connor withdrew for personal reasons. "So I knew that mentally, I had to be there ... I love racing, and that's why we all do this, because there's something about standing behind the blocks that we all love."
