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Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Honorary degrees awarded
It has probably been a long time since David Gerrard felt like a fish out of water. If the 1964 Olympian and 1966 Commonwealth Games swimming gold medallist was feeling out of his depth yesterday, at an event to honour the University of Otago Medical School's leading medical graduates, the 80-year-old hid it well. After his successful swimming career, he gained a medical degree at Otago in 1977 and went on to become a sports medicine specialist, attending many Olympic Games as the New Zealand team doctor, chef-de-mission and medical commissioner, and three Rugby World Cups as the anti-doping commissioner. His published research in sports medicine and science has made an impact nationally and internationally, particularly in the area of anti-doping. He remains a consultant to several international medical committees. Yesterday, the emeritus professor was one of four leading medical graduates from the University of Otago to be awarded an honorary doctor of science, as part of the Otago Medical School 150th anniversary celebrations this weekend. He was humble about the honorary degree, and said it was not just a celebration of his personal journey, but rather a reflection of the foundation provided by the university in shaping who he is today. "I was fortunate to have been part of an inspiring academic community for over 40 years as an undergraduate, clinician and academic. "Mentors, peers and colleagues shaped my time at Otago, and in return, I trust I was able to share these values with students I was fortunate enough to work with and learn from. "I'm proud to be counted among the university's distinguished alumni." The other leading alumni to receive the honorary degree were Dame Margaret Sparrow, Prof Dinah Reddihough and Associate Prof Jioji Malani. Dame Margaret made extraordinary contributions to sexual and reproductive health throughout her career as a family planning educator and reproductive rights advocate. She pioneered contraception and abortion services for students and vasectomies for men, and was one of the first doctors to prescribe the emergency contraceptive pill and successfully campaigned for the introduction of legal and safe abortions in New Zealand. She was honoured by yesterday's acknowledgement. "Although in the 1950s and '60s there was inadequate education in sexual health, especially in the topics of contraception and abortion, the good basic training that I did receive enabled me to pursue a rewarding career in sexual and reproductive health," she said. Paediatrics Prof Reddihough is a leader in advancing knowledge about physical disability in childhood, and her work addresses the health and social inequities of young people with cerebral palsy. For her, the honorary degree was an unexpected privilege. "My work has been made possible because of my partnerships with many wonderful professionals over my career, and more especially with people with lived experience of disability, especially cerebral palsy, and their families who have inspired and encouraged me to do my best. "I have treasured memories of my student days, the various teachers and lecturers, my classmates and the campus of which I was a part." Assoc Prof Malani is a leading specialist in internal medicine and advocates for those with kidney disease, particularly in the Pacific region. He established Fiji's kidney dialysis unit and assisted in a world-class gastroenterology programme that has revolutionised the approach and treatment of gastroenterological conditions. The former University of Hawai'i clinical professor helped train 70 physicians for the Northern Pacific and establish what is believed to be the first postgraduate medical training programme in the Pacific region. He said it was "a profound honour" to be acknowledged by an institution he holds in such high regard. "My journey at the University of Otago as a medical student has been nothing short of transformative. "The university's commitment to excellence is evident in both its academic offerings and the invaluable life skills it imparts."
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Taylor Knibb aiming to find freedom in success at T100 San Francisco
The American will race her first T100 of the season on home soil after winning all four of her races to take the inaugural world title in 2024. After becoming a double-sport Olympian at Paris 2024, racing in the triathlon and the cycling time trial, Knibb has shown her prowess but now faces a target on her back ahead of a new season. '[Being a target is] a privilege, so I'll take it. But I don't think it helps me in any way, unless I harness it effectively,' the 27-year-old explained. 'Success can either trap you or free you. It's easier for it to trap you. That's the question I had to ask myself and my team is how do we give this freedom. 'It gave me the freedom to be able to say, 'No, it's not smart for me to go to Singapore and still get to race the series.' That's one of the biggest freedoms it's given me so far.' 🔥 SAN FRANCISCO T100 WOMEN'S START LIST 🔥 Eleven contracted athletes step up to the San Francisco start line on 31 May for the second stop in the Race To Qatar 🇶🇦 Knibb achieved a silver medal in the mixed relay triathlon at Paris 2024, but she was left disappointed with her individual events. 'My biggest goal was actually the individual race, which was a complete disaster,' she assessed. 'I've had to process it a lot and work through it. It was a massive disappointment. 'With my individual races, people like to show you the silver lining - no pun intended. They're like, 'But you still got a medal.' And it's like, well, I didn't have the two races that I wanted to in the individual races. 'You just keep learning and keep growing. I hope to be in LA so we'll see.' For the three-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion, the T100 events provide a perfect event to continue to hone her craft. Knibb believes the series raises the level of the sport across the board, making it important for leading athletes like her to remain part of it. 'I'm very grateful for the T100 because they are giving the pros what they want, which is more fair racing. And second of all, it's forcing Ironman to be bigger and better,' she explained. 'It's like a rising tide lifts all ships. That's what the T100 series is doing for the sport across WTCS (World Triathlon Championship Series) racing and Ironman racing. That's why it's important for me to race it and be a part of it. 'The T100 goal is to bring triathlon to mainstream media and be a bigger sport. If there are more fans, more people watch WTCS and Ironman racing. If the T100 wins, the whole sport wins.' Watch the world's top 20 female and top 20 male triathletes race live in the San Francisco T100 over the legendary Escape From Alcatraz course on Saturday 31 May. The broadcast starts at 0545 local time, 1345 in the UK, with the races starting 15 minutes later. You can tune in live for free globally on PTO+ or watch on partners channels such as TNT Sports 2 in the UK, Max or Discovery+ in Europe, or beIN in North America. For more details visit
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
Rebecca Adlington: After my miscarriages, I was diagnosed with coeliac disease. It's changed everything
Rebecca Adlington, 36, lives in Cheshire with her husband and two children. In October 2024, she was diagnosed with coeliac disease after suffering with debilitating symptoms including stomach pain, extreme fatigue, and mouth ulcers for over two years. Initially, Rebecca put the pain down to hormonal changes following multiple pregnancies however, after suffering two miscarriages, her doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause of her stomach pain and sent her for testing, one of which was for coeliac disease. Rebecca says the diagnosis has been life-changing. The former Olympian talks us through her daily routine and what she eats – and how this has changed since her diagnosis. Wake up Each morning, the alarm rings at 7am and chaos descends on our household as my husband Andy and I attempt to get the kids (Summer, 10, and Albie, 4) ready for school and out the door by 8.30am. My first priority is to make our lunch boxes and prepare a breakfast I can eat on the go. My go-to used to be the instant porridge pots which I absolutely loved, however they're sadly off the table for me as gluten-free versions aren't readily available. I didn't actually realise how many foods contain gluten. After 35 years of freely eating them, it's been difficult to adapt to my food shop taking double the amount of time as I comb the aisles, searching for the Crossed Grain Trademark which means a product is safe for those with coeliac disease. Now, I tend to make a protein shake for breakfast with frozen berries, cashew milk, and protein powder (a variation that doesn't include oat flour). As a former swimmer, I've always prioritised protein in my diet and that hasn't changed. We're all out the door by 8.30, the children are dropped off at school and pre-school for 8.45, and I then set off to my full-time job at my company 'Swim!', protein shake in hand. My company helps children across the country learn to swim and a typical day for me includes lots of calls and meetings, as well as visiting new swimming venues and some of the schools we work with. Morning snack Before my diagnosis, I used to love snacking on protein bars. However, I find most gluten-free protein bars to be quite claggy. They mould into one in your mouth! It's been really difficult to find healthy and satiating snacks which I still enjoy as most gluten-free protein bars are nut-based and high in calories. There's an amazing gluten-free community on Instagram and they've been my saviour when it comes to gluten-free snack recipes. My current favourite is date and yogurt clusters. If I'm feeling peckish before lunch, I'll eat one or two of these, a rice cake with some nut butter, or a banana. I've got a major sweet tooth and have discovered (to my dismay) that many chocolate bars and sweets contain gluten, specifically barley. This has been devastating! I'm eternally concerned about cross-contamination (I call it 'getting glutened') so I try to make most of my food from scratch. Lunchtime At the moment, I'm in the bad habit of eating lunch at my desk whilst continuing to work. Sandwiches used to be my go-to however they're obviously off the table now. Whenever I ate bread (especially the pre-packaged loaves) I'd feel unwell and have horrific stomach pains, so I'd actually cut it out before I was diagnosed with coeliac disease but, of course, continued to feel horrific as gluten still featured heavily in my diet. Now, I prepare a salad for lunch most days. Again, focusing heavily on the protein, including some chicken or boiled eggs. On the more hectic days when I don't have time to prepare lunch, I sometimes brave a supermarket gluten-free salad or, if they don't look appealing, a Huel meal replacement drink. At the weekend, my family and I love to keep active and explore. On a recent day out, we stopped at a pizza place for lunch and I was delighted to see gluten-free options on the menu. It meant I could enjoy a satisfying doughy pizza knowing it wouldn't be followed by days of fatigue, vomiting and nausea. However, eating out is one of the biggest challenges and I'm still not used to it. As I don't live in a big city centre, there are just a few restaurants where I live and I only feel comfortable eating in one or two of them. On restaurant menus, foods are marked vegetarian or vegan but they're rarely flagged as being gluten-free. Even if they are, there's the perpetual fear of 'getting glutened' – especially as some workers won't know that food cooked in the same fryer or oven as gluten could still cause major problems for people with coeliac disease. I recently attended an event where I was served a lovely lamb and chicken shish kebab skewer with salad. They knew I had coeliac disease and there was nothing on my plate which contained gluten and yet I still had sharp, stabbing stomach pains and was vomiting afterwards. All the other plates had a pitta bread on so my theory is that the servers may have originally put one on my plate, and then taken it off when they realised my meal was supposed to be gluten-free. Those tiny leftover crumbs may have caused me to 'get glutened'. It's scary that something so small can have such an adverse effect. In more severe cases of cross-contamination, I've spent the next five days suffering from intense stomach pains, exhaustion, and vomiting. Dinner Andy and I collect the kids from school and it's then a case of getting them to swimming lessons, Brownies, and all of their other activities before we head home for the evening. The kids eat at 5pm and their meals sometimes include gluten, however it's easier if we all eat the same food so I focus on including ingredients that are naturally gluten-free such as rice, potatoes, and veg, rather than us all eating separately. Even so, I need to have my own separate kitchen utensils and equipment including a toaster, bread bin, knives, and butter. I try to make our evening meals healthy, hearty, and filling, and Andy and I tend to eat around 6.30pm after finishing our work for the day. He's happy eating gluten-free food which makes things easier. One of my favourite meals to make is chicken satay with Tenderstem broccoli and rice. Jacket potatoes are another reliable favourite. When we do occasionally eat out, my favourite restaurants for reliable gluten-free food are Wagamama and Pizza Express. Recently it was my birthday and I was absolutely craving a roast dinner. It's difficult to prepare gluten-free as the Yorkshire puddings are not safe for those with coeliac disease, the gravy tends to contain flour, and with everything mixed on the plate, cross-contamination is a big risk. However, about 25 minutes from where I live, we found a pub which serves a gluten-free Sunday roast. I almost cried! There was no flour in the gravy and they had gluten-free Yorkies which are the rarest of the rare. It was just beautiful. Evening snack Having two miscarriages in August 2022 and October 2023 took a massive toll on my mental and physical health. I stopped consistently exercising (besides the odd bike ride or dog walk), had zero motivation and just fell out of love with my body as I tried to grieve and process our loss. I know that there is a link between coeliac disease and miscarriages. However, as I was only tested after they happened, the doctors couldn't say for sure whether they were linked. I also have PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] which of course is also linked to fertility so it's impossible to know whether my coeliac disease was a major factor. After I cut out gluten in October, I actually wanted to workout again. Following my diagnosis, I finally had enough energy and motivation to get back in the gym and I've really enjoyed rediscovering my love for exercise. In fact, I've got a whole routine now – Pilates class on Wednesday evening, weights on Thursday, and a run or swim on Friday. A reformer Pilates centre has just opened up in my village and I'm excited to give that a try. Since my diagnosis, I've had more energy, feel so much healthier and happier, and haven't had a single mouth ulcer. It's been a transformative shift. After my evening exercise, Andy and I put the kids to bed – Albie at 7.15 and then Summer at 8pm. Then, I'll have a final evening snack (my current obsession being my yogurt dates!) and we'll watch TV before heading to bed. Bedtime I'm not a big drinker so certainly don't grieve the fact I can no longer drink gluten-heavy beer! I'll sometimes enjoy a hot drink before bed. In my most recent cross-contamination incident, I opted for an artisanal hot chocolate which actually contained melted chocolate that contained barley and I very quickly regretted my choice! Most shop-bought hot chocolates are fine, though, so if I ever need to feed my sweet tooth I may occasionally opt for a warming mug before going to sleep. Since my diagnosis, life has undoubtedly changed for the better and, rather than being exhausted 24/7, I finally feel like a normal 36-year-old. Andy and I nod off around 10pm and I find I actually sleep less now as I'm not fatigued all the time. I've always valued my sleep but it's great to get into bed and not instantly pass out when my head hits the pillow and to wake up feeling well-rested and refreshed. As told to Ella Nunn The Coeliac Awareness Month campaign looks at raising awareness of coeliac disease by sharing real stories and empowering those affected by it to recognise the symptoms, complete the online self-assessment, and take the first step on the road to recovery.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Anthony Joshua pleads with Team GB OIympian Delicious Orie to make retirement U-turn as he quits after one fight
AJ used a former world champion's words to get his point across OR NOT Anthony Joshua pleads with Team GB OIympian Delicious Orie to make retirement U-turn as he quits after one fight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANTHONY JOSHUA has pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider his decision to retire. Orie was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 Olympics but soon turned professional with Frank Warren - after snubbing an offer from the WWE. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Anthony Joshua pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider retirement Credit: @deliciousboxing The heavyweight won his debut against Milos Veletic in April - but laboured over the four rounds. Just a month later and the 27-year-old announced he was retiring from boxing after just one pro bout. But AJ - who used to spar Orie - spoke out to urge the Russian-born Brit not to walk away just yet. He wrote on Instagram: "History repeats itself. Many of us wanted to stop at some stage. READ MORE IN boxing CHARR BLIMEY Anthony Joshua faces off with ex-champ who survived assassination attempt "Some at the start, some in the middle and at some point all of us will have to stop. "I think you should take your time but keep training! You have skills & have talent." Joshua accompanied the message with an old interview with Michael Spinks - the 1976 Olympic gold medalist who later won world titles. Spinks told KO TV: "I heard boxing was not a pretty business for the boxers and also I was a little afraid of that. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I didn't know how I well I would fare in the industry. So I just wanted to get a good job after winning the gold medal and then let that be. "But things happened that pushed me into the pros and I just talking it one step at a time. I didn't know I would go as far as I did." Tense moment Anthony Joshua and Mahmoud Charr face off ahead of proposed two-fight deal Despite Spinks' concerns over turning pro, he would win world titles at light-heavyweight and heavyweight. He also famously lost to Mike Tyson in 1988 - his final bout before retiring. And like Orie - like Spinks - credited wanting to get a job outside the ring as a reason for not wanting to fight on any further. He posted: "After much reflection, I have decided to hang up my gloves and retire from boxing to follow up on my degree and enter the corporate world. "This sport has given me so much — incredible memories, unforgettable experiences travelling the world and many opportunities to represent my country at the biggest stages in the world. Forever grateful for the journey. "Over time, I've come to recognise that the same fire and love I once had for boxing has gradually faded. "As I've grown, I've come to value clarity and honesty with myself above all. "I hoped that turning professional would reignite the passion, but the truth has become clear: it hasn't. "Every fighter knows you need a deep love for the craft to reach the top — and without it, there's no path forward. "Out of respect for the sport and for myself, it's time to step away with honesty."
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Anthony Joshua pleads with Team GB OIympian Delicious Orie to make retirement U-turn as he quits after one fight
ANTHONY JOSHUA has pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider his decision to retire. Orie was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 Olympics but soon turned professional with Frank Warren - 2 Anthony Joshua pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider retirement Credit: @deliciousboxing The heavyweight won his debut against Milos Veletic in April - but laboured over the four rounds. Just a month later and the 27-year-old announced he was But AJ - He wrote on Instagram: "History repeats itself. Many of us wanted to stop at some stage. READ MORE IN boxing "Some at the start, some in the middle and at some point all of us will have to stop. "I think you should take your time but keep training! You have skills & have talent." Joshua accompanied the message with an old interview with Michael Spinks - the 1976 Olympic gold medalist who later won world titles. Spinks told Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I didn't know how I well I would fare in the industry. So I just wanted to get a good job after winning the gold medal and then let that be. "But things happened that pushed me into the pros and I just talking it one step at a time. I didn't know I would go as far as I did." Tense moment Anthony Joshua and Mahmoud Charr face off ahead of proposed two-fight deal Despite Spinks' concerns over turning pro, he would win world titles at light-heavyweight and heavyweight. He also And like Orie - like Spinks - credited wanting to get a job outside the ring as a reason for not wanting to fight on any further. He posted: "After much reflection, I have decided to hang up my gloves and retire from boxing to follow up on my degree and enter the corporate world. "This sport has given me so much — incredible memories, unforgettable experiences travelling the world and many opportunities to represent my country at the biggest stages in the world. Forever grateful for the journey. "Over time, I've come to recognise that the same fire and love I once had for boxing has gradually faded. "As I've grown, I've come to value clarity and honesty with myself above all. "I hoped that turning professional would reignite the passion, but the truth has become clear: it hasn't. "Every fighter knows you need a deep love for the craft to reach the top — and without it, there's no path forward. "Out of respect for the sport and for myself, it's time to step away with honesty." 2 Orie has retired from pro boxing Credit: Getty
