Latest news with #Olympian
Irish Independent
39 minutes ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Daniel Wiffen cites stomach issue after eighth place in world 800m freestyle final as Ellen Walshe makes 200m butterfly decider
Wiffen, who led the field through the opening 350 metres, faded in the latter half to come home in 7:58.56, nearly 14 seconds off his personal best. The 24-year-old later revealed he had been struggling with stomach issues during the race. "Obviously not my best showing, from last year winning the Olympics to coming eighth in the final', Wiffen said after the race. "But honestly, I'm happy to be in the final, still progressing, still getting those nerves up. You know, that's what sport's about, trying to get myself uncomfortable, and I was definitely uncomfortable in that race. "I'm pretty sure I was leading at one point and then I got to 400m and then my stomach was in pieces but, you know, I'm happy to be in the final, I'm happy to represent Ireland again in a final.'' There was much better news for Wiffen's fellow Olympian Ellen Walshe, who delivered one of the standout Irish performances of the night by breaking her own Irish record in the 200m butterfly to secure a place in Thursday's final. The 24-year-old had entered the semi-finals as the seventh seed with a time of 2:09.15 but dropped a stunning 0.73 seconds from her personal best to clock 2:07.69 and finish third in her semi. She now heads into the final ranked fourth overall. "I'm delighted,' said Walshe afterwards. "Like it was an event I really didn't want to take back up, and I think just to see how far I can get it, I have to be happy. At junior level I really struggled to kind of move it on but now I can see a lot of progress and the back end's definitely there.' Looking ahead to Thursday's final (12:02pm Irish time), Walshe added: "I'm looking forward to tomorrow to see if I can be a little bit better through the front speed. I'm in against some really big names, so it's going to be exciting.' Australia's Elizabeth Dekkers will be the top seed in the final after posting a 2:06.13 in the semis. Elsewhere, Danielle Hill narrowly missed out on a place in the 50m backstroke final despite producing a season's best of 27.71 in the semi-finals, just seven hundredths of a second off her Irish record. The Larne swimmer finished twelfth overall. "I don't know, very mixed emotions,' Hill reflected. "It is fast. It's now become an Olympic event, so a few more people are a little bit more switched on. I want to be in that final, but I've been around that time now for a couple of years, so there's something we've got to look at and change.' Thursday will see a busy morning for Team Ireland with five swimmers and one diver in action. Hill returns for the 100m freestyle, John Shortt lines up in the 200m backstroke, and Mona McSharry, Ellie McCartney, and Eoin Corby are all set for the 200m breaststroke. In diving, Jake Passmore begins his campaign in the 3M springboard preliminaries. With 66 entrants, the event is split into two groups. Passmore will need to await the conclusion of the second preliminary to learn if he's progressed to the top 18 and secured a place in the semi-final.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Laura Dahlmeier dead at 31: Double Olympic champion dies after horror mountaineering accident
A rescue team had been deployed to find the Olympian earlier this week DOUBLE Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier has died aged 31 following a horror mountaineering accident. The former German biathlete's management announced her heartbreaking death today. Advertisement 5 Laura Dahlmeier has died aged 31 Credit: EPA 5 Dahlmeier was a two-time Olympic gold medallist in biathlon Credit: Reuters Dahlmeier was climbing in the Pakistani Karakoram Mountains with a rope partner on Monday when falling rocks hit her at roughly 18,700 feet. A rescue team had been deployed to find the three-time Olympic medallist, but was unable to locate her until Tuesday morning. Now Dahlmeier's team have revealed she has been found dead after the search continued. A statement told that Dahlmeier has been assumed dead for two days and that recovering her body was not possible due to "currently prevailing difficult conditions with rockfall and a change in the weather on Laila Peak." Advertisement Military helicopters had tried to reach where she fell but were unable to do so after the conditions at the altitude were described as "extremely difficult". Climbers had planned an attempted rescue before it was confirmed that Dahlmeier has died. Tributes for the Olympic hero have since flooded in. Bundesliga football club FC Schalke 04 wrote on X: "With Laura Dahlmeier, a great athlete and a warm-hearted person has left us. Advertisement 5 The star athlete was struck by falling rocks while climbing in Pakistan Credit: AFP 5 "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, and the entire biathlon family. Rest in peace, Laura." While the German Olympic Federation posted: "With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Laura Dahlmeier. Her sudden death leaves us speechless. Advertisement "She was more than an Olympic champion – she was a person with heart, conviction, and vision. Your story will live on, Laura." Dahlmeier won both her gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She won them in the Sprint and Pursuit events while she also won a bronze in the Individual event. The German athlete retired from competing in May 2019 as she admitted she lacked the passion required to take part. Advertisement Later that year she co-authored and released a children's book 'The Climate Gang: Laura Dahlmeier and friends working for nature'. She also entered the world of sports media as a pundit for the German broadcaster ZDF for the Biathlon World Cup.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Australian Parliament finally honors Olympians who defied boycott of 1980 Moscow Games
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A wait of 45 years ended when a group of Olympians who defied pressure to boycott the 1980 Moscow Games were recognized in the Australian Parliament on Wednesday for their contribution to sports. Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman said the recognition acknowledged 'the courage and resilience of the Olympians who faced intense public pressure not to compete, and the enduring hurt and pain many of them still feel.' 'In many ways, this recognition will be the welcome home celebration the athletes never got,' Chesterman said. 'Instead of the celebrations our Olympians normally arrive home to, they endured threats, feelings of shame, public condemnation and arrived home to silence.' In 1980, the government pressured the Australian Olympic federation to join the U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. But 121 Australians went to Moscow to compete at the games and the team won nine medals, including two gold. Because some of Australia's sports federations abided by the government boycott, at least 62 athletes didn't get the opportunity to compete in Moscow. Of those, 17 never became an Olympian. 'The whole saga was a disastrous and divisive collision of sport and politics, and it put our athletes, sports and officials in the worst possible position,' Chesterman said. 'But they fulfilled their dream in attending the games and, in doing so, maintained Australia's representation at the Olympics. Because of them we are one of only two countries, along with Greece, to have sent athletes to every summer edition.' Swimmer Michelle Ford won the women's 800-meter freestyle, and the men's 4x100-meter medley relay team also won gold. 'We were preparing to represent our country at the Olympic Games, the world's greatest sporting event, but instead of support we were met with hostility and abuse,' Ford said in a statement ahead of the ceremony. 'We were branded traitors, vilified, shamed and ridiculed. I even received a death threat. 'When the time came time to depart, we were forced to sneak out of the country to avoid media and protestors," she added. "The memories of that time remain tainted by the pain and anguish we experienced and have carried with us for 45 years.' Max Metzker, a swimmer who won bronze in Moscow, said the mental toll on the athletes 'has continued to linger for decades.' 'Our hope,' he said, 'is that the recognition today helps heal those mental scars.' Ron McKeon, who competed in swimming at the 1980 Games, attended the ceremony in the national capital, Canberra, along with his daughter Emma McKeon — Australia's most decorated Olympian with 14 medals before she retired last year — and son David McKeon, who swam at the 2012 Olympics in London. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged the Olympic participation of the athletes, and also the emotional pain. 'When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you,' Albanese told Parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Australian Parliament finally honors Olympians who defied boycott of 1980 Moscow Games
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A wait of 45 years ended when a group of Olympians who defied pressure to boycott the 1980 Moscow Games were recognized in the Australian Parliament on Wednesday for their contribution to sports. Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman said the recognition acknowledged 'the courage and resilience of the Olympians who faced intense public pressure not to compete, and the enduring hurt and pain many of them still feel.' 'In many ways, this recognition will be the welcome home celebration the athletes never got,' Chesterman said. 'Instead of the celebrations our Olympians normally arrive home to, they endured threats, feelings of shame, public condemnation and arrived home to silence.' In 1980, the government pressured the Australian Olympic federation to join the U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. But 121 Australians went to Moscow to compete at the games and the team won nine medals, including two gold. Because some of Australia's sports federations abided by the government boycott, at least 62 athletes didn't get the opportunity to compete in Moscow. Of those, 17 never became an Olympian. 'The whole saga was a disastrous and divisive collision of sport and politics, and it put our athletes, sports and officials in the worst possible position,' Chesterman said. 'But they fulfilled their dream in attending the games and, in doing so, maintained Australia's representation at the Olympics. Because of them we are one of only two countries, along with Greece, to have sent athletes to every summer edition.' Swimmer Michelle Ford won the women's 800-meter freestyle, and the men's 4×100-meter medley relay team also won gold. Ford, who turned 18 during the Moscow Games, has been part of a group long seeking formal acknowledgement from the government. 'We were preparing to represent our country at the Olympic Games, the world's greatest sporting event, but instead of support we were met with hostility and abuse,' Ford said in a statement ahead of the ceremony. 'We were branded traitors, vilified, shamed and ridiculed. I even received a death threat. 'When the time came time to depart, we were forced to sneak out of the country to avoid media and protestors,' she added. 'The memories of that time remain tainted by the pain and anguish we experienced and have carried with us for 45 years.' Max Metzker, a swimmer who won bronze in Moscow, said the mental toll on the athletes 'has continued to linger for decades.' 'Our hope,' he said, 'is that the recognition today helps heal those mental scars.' Ron McKeon, who competed in swimming at the 1980 Games, attended the ceremony in the national capital, Canberra, along with his daughter Emma McKeon — Australia's most decorated Olympian with 14 medals before she retired last year — and son David McKeon, who swam at the 2012 Olympics in London. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged the Olympic participation of the athletes, and also the emotional pain. 'When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you,' Albanese told Parliament. 'Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. 'Today, we fix that. You have earned your place in the history of the Games and our nation.' ___ AP sports:
Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Australian Parliament finally honors Olympians who defied boycott of 1980 Moscow Games
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A wait of 45 years ended when a group of Olympians who defied pressure to boycott the 1980 Moscow Games were recognized in the Australian Parliament on Wednesday for their contribution to sports. Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman said the recognition acknowledged 'the courage and resilience of the Olympians who faced intense public pressure not to compete, and the enduring hurt and pain many of them still feel.' 'In many ways, this recognition will be the welcome home celebration the athletes never got,' Chesterman said. 'Instead of the celebrations our Olympians normally arrive home to, they endured threats, feelings of shame, public condemnation and arrived home to silence.' In 1980, the government pressured the Australian Olympic federation to join the U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. But 121 Australians went to Moscow to compete at the games and the team won nine medals, including two gold. Because some of Australia's sports federations abided by the government boycott, at least 62 athletes didn't get the opportunity to compete in Moscow. Of those, 17 never became an Olympian. 'The whole saga was a disastrous and divisive collision of sport and politics, and it put our athletes, sports and officials in the worst possible position,' Chesterman said. 'But they fulfilled their dream in attending the games and, in doing so, maintained Australia's representation at the Olympics. Because of them we are one of only two countries, along with Greece, to have sent athletes to every summer edition.' Swimmer Michelle Ford won the women's 800-meter freestyle, and the men's 4x100-meter medley relay team also won gold. Ford, who turned 18 during the Moscow Games, has been part of a group long seeking formal acknowledgement from the government. 'We were preparing to represent our country at the Olympic Games, the world's greatest sporting event, but instead of support we were met with hostility and abuse,' Ford said in a statement ahead of the ceremony. 'We were branded traitors, vilified, shamed and ridiculed. I even received a death threat. 'When the time came time to depart, we were forced to sneak out of the country to avoid media and protestors,' she added. 'The memories of that time remain tainted by the pain and anguish we experienced and have carried with us for 45 years.' Max Metzker, a swimmer who won bronze in Moscow, said the mental toll on the athletes 'has continued to linger for decades.' 'Our hope,' he said, 'is that the recognition today helps heal those mental scars.' Ron McKeon, who competed in swimming at the 1980 Games, attended the ceremony in the national capital, Canberra, along with his daughter Emma McKeon — Australia's most decorated Olympian with 14 medals before she retired last year — and son David McKeon, who swam at the 2012 Olympics in London. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged the Olympic participation of the athletes, and also the emotional pain. 'When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you,' Albanese told Parliament. 'Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. 'Today, we fix that. You have earned your place in the history of the Games and our nation.' ___ AP sports:
