Latest news with #athletics
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Meet the 105-year-old athletics champion
This is Sawang Janpram, a gold medallist from the World Masters Games in makes him special? He's 105-years-old! He was the oldest person competing in four events - discus, javelin, shot put and 100 metre sprint. He was also the only person in his age category of 100 years or meant if he finished an event he was guaranteed to get a gold medal - and he bagged four of them in total! According to news agency AFP, Sawang, who is from Thailand, started competing at the age of 90!It was all thanks to his 73-year-old daughter, Siripan, who also competes at events. She is an athlete with the Thai Veteran Athletics Association, and would often take her dad along to watch her compete. He liked the atmosphere and decided to give it a go - a great decision with four gold medals now in his collection. Speaking about his new hobby, Sawang said: "Exercise makes our life better and we get to meet friends who also exercise."It's like our lives are livelier and we do not feel lonely at home." What are the World Masters Games? The World Masters Games are held every four years and bring together competitors aged 30+ from around the world. There were over 25,000 athletes from 107 countries that competed at the Games in Taipei - that's more than twice the amount of competitors at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The next World Masters Games will be in Japan in you would have what it takes to be an athletics champion in 100 years time? Let us know in the comments below!
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Trans athlete AB Hernandez slammed by protestors after beating female peers in California championship finals
Transgender woman AB Hernandez sparked outrage as she leapt to victory against her female peers at the California high school championships Saturday. Hernandez, 17, claimed gold in the high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state finals, facing criticism from protestors and parents as she stormed to victory under a new rule change. The CIF had announced a new policy earlier this week in response to backlash surrounding Hernandez's success heading into the championships. Under the change, the federation allowed an additional student to compete and medal in the events where Hernandez qualified, meaning she shared her finish with at least one other competitor in all three events. Hernandez claimed tied-first place in the varsity high jump final, sharing the spot atop the podium with female competitors Lelani Laruelle and Jillene Wetteland. The trio cleared the 5' 7" mark to split the gold medal three ways, while Julia Teven to settle for third. She later wrapped up the night with another first-place finish, this time in the triple jump. She again shared the top spot with Kira Gant Hatcher, who trailed by just over a half-meter. Earlier in the afternoon, she could only manage a second-place finish in the long jump event after her jump of 20' 8¾" fell just short of the winning 21' 0¼" mark set by Loren Webster. Hernandez beamed as she posed alongside co-second Brooke White. The dramatic row surrounding Hernandez's participation had sparked fury across the U.S., with President Donald Trump even threatening to hold back 'large scale Federal Funding' and blasting the state governor who he claims has continued to 'ILLEGALLY allow "MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS"'. In February, Trump signed an executive order banning trans athletes from women's sports called 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports'. Both Hernandez and her mother Nereyda refused to comment on the president's furious response when asked by following the finals. In previous meets, Hernandez has faced controversy from her own competitors - with a teenage girl she beat to first place waiting for her rival to get down from the top of the podium before posing up there herself. Meanwhile, her mom has been confronted by angry parents whose daughters are losing out on gold medals as a result. Ahead of Saturday's championships, Hernandez and her escort traipsed past protestors who had once again voiced their outrage against the athlete's participation. The demonstrators, who were forced to carry out their protest outside the stadium due to the CIF's rules, carried signs sayings 'NO DUDES IN GIRLS SPACES' and 'NO CHILD IS BORN IN THE WRONG BODY.' Despite the CIF's ban on banners and signs inside the ground, the message of the protestors could be heard over the fence. 'No guys in girls sports,' one man's shout was blasted through a megaphone as Hernandez made her first jump, which she shockingly scratched. Yet, Hernandez wasn't to be deterred. Brushing off the interruption, she bounced back to form, going on to cruise to her two golds and silver medal. However, protestor Beth Bourne, 55, from Davis, California, insisted that her outrage wasn't directed at Hernandez, but rather her mother. 'I feel huge compassion for this young man, this boy, he's 17 years old,' Bourne, a member of the 'Moms for Liberty Yolo County' group, told 'He has a mother who's been duped to believe that her child could be born in the wrong body. 'Many of these feminine boys could grow up to be gay, healthy men. AB Hernandez enjoys wearing makeup, long hair, dresses. His mother believes that rather than letting her son grow up to be a gay boy, that he could be a trans woman, right? So if you have a mother who is affirming a young boy to believe that he could grow up to be a woman.' 'We want to protect his body,' Bourne added. 'We do not want him to be a medical experiment. We don't want him to lose his healthy sexual organs. We don't want him to put on estrogen or puberty blockers that will sterilize him. 'It's an unfolding medical scandal and it's okay to say that every child is perfect in their body. It is not transphobic. It is not hateful. It is not bigoted.' Hernandez sealed her place in three finals after coming out on top in all of her preliminary heats on Friday - despite the shocking scenes outside the stadium. Meanwhile, Hernandez's mom has been branded 'evil' by conservative women's advocate Riley Gaines, in an interview with Gaines pulled no punches when she slammed 'progressives' including Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom - who she dubbed a 'slimy car salesman' and 'spineless coward' - for enabling biologically born boys to participate in sports alongside girls. She also called out 'crazy unhinged trans activists' for creating chaos. 'His mom is a pretty evil person,' Gaines said. 'I believe she is using her son to live out some fantasy or dream that maybe she had. 'She has lied to AB in affirming his identity - the total façade - and in the process has harmed real women. I have empathy for AB. He's a victim as well. But that doesn't give him the right to trample on women in the process to fulfill his happiness. 'AB Hernandez is of course not the first boy to compete in the state of California - whether it's track and field, whatever sport it may be. He is following the rules. So I don't have any animosity or hatred or wish any sort of ill will on the boy. Ultimately, it's the rules that are the problem. 'Harm [is] being done because of his acceptance into women's sports and women's spaces. That's what has been relayed to me by many of the girls who have competed against AB. 'Sports are not about inclusion at the level he's competing. It's not about your feelings. It's about winning, to put it as bluntly as possible. Women aren't just a tool used to fulfill men's happiness. That's not what we are. Unfortunately, that's what women are being used for again. But we say enough. 'I'm not trying to rid anyone of opportunities. I believe every single person should play sports. But play in the categories that are safe and fair to everyone. 'We cannot prioritize inclusion over safety and fairness. That undermines the foundation of what sports were created to do.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Aussie sprint superstar secures big win over his rival Gout Gout as Queenslander joins one of the sport's most exclusive clubs
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy has joined one of Australian sport's most exclusive clubs as just the second Aussie to legally better the 10-second barrier for the 100m. Competing at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday night (Sunday AEST), Kennedy claimed the win against a strong field, stopping the clock at 9.98 seconds with the aid of a slight 0.7m tailwind. Teen sensation Gout Gout and Rohan Browning have also recently threatened to go sub-10 on multiple occasions, but it's the 21-year-old Kennedy who has reached the magic milestone first. The only other Australian to achieve the celebrated feat was national record holder Patrick Johnson, who ran a sizzling 9.93 in Mito, Japan in 2003. Previously, Gout has run a wind-assisted sub-10-second 100m race. Kennedy, though, is the first to do so legally. 'I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super-stoked to get the win and the time,' Kennedy said. 'It's so good. I can finally say I have run nine! 'I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually.' Kennedy relegated Paris Olympics relay silver medallist Bayanda Walaza from South Africa (10.03) and hometown hero Ferdinand Omanyala (10.07) to the minor placings. 'The crowd was nuts out there. I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today,' Kennedy said. 'I didn't think a nine was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal.' Kennedy first shot to international prominence when he pocketed silver in the 60m at the World Indoors in China in March. The main target for him and his friendly rival and fellow Queenslander Gout this year is the world championships in Tokyo in September. 'I'm getting better with every race,' said Kennedy. 'It's an advantage to have a long season at home. 'I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the world championships.' Kennedy and Gout are both scheduled to race the 200m in the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike Mett in the Czech Republic on June 24.
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Always running for office: Barry Heneghan praises northsiders' athletic superiority
Part of the TD's job is to talk up their constituency. Dublin Bay North Independent Barry Heneghan , one of those Government-supporting deputies for whom Opposition speaking time was controversially sought, is no different. He recently drew the attention of Minister of State for sport Charlie McConalogue to the work of Raheny Shamrocks Athletics Club and how 'the northside needs more investment' in running tracks. He noted the club had 'a significant history of producing Olympians not just for the northside but for all of Ireland', namechecking sprinter Sophie Becker and Olympian Brian Fay , 'who I went to school with'. Irish Olympian Sophie Becker at the homecoming for Team Ireland following the Paris Olympics. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill 'There are way more running tracks on the southside,' he told the Dáil. 'I believe the estimate is six or seven public tracks compared with two public tracks on the northside of Dublin. I do not know if this is because previous northside politicians did not raise it enough with the department.' READ MORE Heneghan asked that the Minister commit to possibly looking into Dublin City Council adding a 400m running track to St Anne's Park in Raheny 'to be used by future Olympians'. McConalogue noted the 'wonderful work' done at the club and that it has previously been supported through sports capital grants, which would be open for applications again next year. 'I welcome the fact that the Minister of State said that,' Heneghan replied. 'Regarding the lack of running tracks and the number of Olympians, maybe northsiders are just better runners.' Padel is one of the 'fastest-growing sports globally' but is underserved in terms of infrastructure in Dublin. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire Public support fails to smash squash club's problems Public statements of displeasure about a planning application that could jeopardise the future of south Dublin's Old Belvedere Squash Club have failed to smash away its looming problem. Dublin City Council this week granted permission for Old Belvedere Rugby Club's proposal to raze the squash club's facilities on its Ballsbridge grounds, which it argued had become a 'financial drain' on its wider operations. A slew of observations in support of the squash club, which has a 100-strong membership, landed before the deadline, with many claiming the proposed demolition would be contrary to the council's policy objective GI49: to protect existing and established sporting facilities. The RFC wants to replace two squash courts and related facilities with three courts for padel tennis, which it said is one of the 'fastest-growing sports globally' but is underserved in terms of infrastructure in Dublin. It said its plan to add them could see usage rates rise from 20 per cent to about 80 per cent, with the proceeds helping to secure the rugby club's 'long-term viability'. However, the padel element of the plan will have to wait a little longer as the council has asked the RFC for further information regarding proposed access and parking arrangements, as well as on drainage matters. It will have six months to respond. While the price of making an observation on the application was €20, the early objectors would have to pay €220 should they wish to serve up an appeal against the council's decision. Among the correspondence sought was that between Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and the HSE board's chairman. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien When does 'routine' become 'vexatious or frivolous'? Part of a newspaper correspondent's job is to keep up with those whose decisions govern their beat. The Freedom of Information Act offers a means of doing this but, due to its nature, the system can be hit and miss, with requests liable to be rejected for reasons including that they are 'voluminous' or even 'vexatious' or 'frivolous'. A recent application from The Irish Times to the HSE seeking correspondence over a two-month period between Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill , HSE chairman Ciarán Devine, Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt , and HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster ; along with memorandums issued by the chief executive and leadership team, initially fell foul of the 'voluminous' view. The journalist offered to drop the latter element and stated that there tended only to be a small amount of relevant correspondence as well as that the request's scope was similar to others routinely processed by the HSE over the years without issue. However, a compromise was not forthcoming from the HSE decision maker who said granting it would cause 'interference in the work' of the offices of the chief executive and board. 'Therefore, I must refuse also under section15(1)(g), where the request is, in the opinion of the Head, frivolous or vexatious or forms part of a pattern of manifestly unreasonable requests from the same requester or from different requesters who, in the opinion of the head, appear to have made the requests acting in concert.' The matter will be appealed. Eoin Burke and Francesca McAllister from Dublin Zoo announcing the Run for Wildlife event. Photograph: Patrick Bolger Want to sweat with the sloths and gasp with the giraffes? Experiences are everything these days. From swimming with pigs in the Bahamas to cuddling koalas in Australia, there seems to be no end to the Instagrammable activities people are coming up with. Step forward Dublin Zoo , which has announced a novel approach to raising funds for a group working in Indonesia to save the critically endangered Sulawesi crested macaque, of which there are only about 5,000 left in the wild. The zoo will on July 26th host the Run for Wildlife event which, for a €40 entry fee, allows participants to traverse a 3km route around its Phoenix Park grounds. Callie was Dublin Zoo's first cheetah in 20 years. Photograph: Patrick Bolger 'Whether you sprint or jog, every step counts and helps to support the critical work of wildlife protection and habitat preservation,' it said. The zoo said one of the day's spectators, Callie the cheetah, could complete the 3km route in less than two minutes. The human record for the 3,000m, 7:17.55, was set by Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen last year. His mark is unlikely to be beaten but runners will – in addition to being able to sweat with the sloths, gasp with the giraffes and cramp up with the chimps – receive a 'bespoke eco-friendly medal' handmade in Indonesia and a Run for Wildlife T-shirt. There will also be early access to the zoo, where entertainment is to be provided by the Indonesian Irish Association and animal selfie opportunities will be abundant. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon at the launch of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Oakpark, Co Carlow. Photograph:Finbarr O'Rourke Minister for Agriculture heading from the 19th hole to Seoul Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is a busy man these days with the threat of US tariffs looming over Ireland's multibillion euro agrifood sector. The Kildare South TD recently reminded the Dáil that some 90 per cent of the food and drink produced in the State was exported and that 'any interruptions to that trade [would] have impacts'. He said the latest round of his trade promotion work would see him travelling to Japan and South Korea in early June. 'I will attend the Seoul Foods Expo, which is the fourth-largest food exhibition in Asia, as well as World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.' Even in the face of big threats, it's worth remembering that all politics is local. According to a diary notice circulated this week, the Fine Gael TD has an engagement at Castlewarden Golf Club before he takes off. The club was among 67 in Co Kildare he congratulated in September after they secured grants under the Community Sports Facility Fund. Castlewarden received €144,404 to repair a roof, enhance facilities and buy a mower. Heydon will, the invite says, launch the club's open week, which begins on June 21st, at a reception in its clubhouse next Friday 'in advance of his departure to Asia on a trade mission'. From the 19th hole to Seoul.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- General
- Reuters
Kennedy becomes first Australian to crack 10 second barrier in 22 years
June 1 (Reuters) - Lachlan Kennedy became the first Australian sprinter to legally break the 10-second barrier for the 100 metres in more than two decades when he won the sprint event at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday. Kennedy crossed the line in 9.98 seconds to join national record holder Patrick Johnson as the only Australian to have dipped under the 10-second mark and the first to do so in 22 years. "I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time," Kennedy said. "It's so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually." Kennedy had been locked in a battle with teenage rival Gout Gout to become the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier since Johnson set the national record of 9.93 seconds at the Mito International meet in Japan in 2003. Gout has run a wind-assisted sub-10-second 100 metres but Kennedy is the first of the pair to do so legally, having previously run 10 seconds flat in the heats of the Australian championships in Perth in April. "I'm getting better with every race," the 21-year-old told Australian Athletics. "It's an advantage to have a long season at home. I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships."
