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"I am a woman": Boxer launches legal action after gold medal win

<p>Imane Khelif has filed an official complaint over online bullying and harassment she has been subject to throughout the course of the Paris Olympics.</p> <p>The Algerian boxer, who took home the gold medal in the women's competition, has been at the centre of a wave of abuse over her gender, with misinformation circulating over her gender. </p> <p>According to Khelif's lawyer Nabil Boudi, the gold medallist has filed a legal complaint in France for online harassment.</p> <p>“The boxer Imane Khelif has decided to begin a new fight, a fight for justice, dignity and honour,” Boudi said in a statement, saying Khelif had filed the complaint for “aggravated online harassment … to Paris prosecutors”.</p> <p>He added, “The investigation will determine who was behind this misogynist, racist and sexist campaign, but will also have to concern itself with those who fed the online lynching.”</p> <p>The “iniquitous harassment” the boxing champion had been subjected to would remain “the biggest stain on these Olympic Games”, said Boudi.</p> <p>On Saturday, Khelif emerged victorious in the women’s 66kg final against China’s Yang Liu in a unanimous points decision, having been the focus of intense scrutiny in the French capital for the duration of the Games. </p> <p>After her victory, Khelif said the gold medal she had won was the best response to her critics.</p> <p>Asked by reporters about the row over her eligibility, she said, “I am fully qualified to take part, I am a woman like any other. I was born a woman, lived a woman and competed as a woman.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ulrik Pedersen/CSM/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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USA medallist shares shocking state of Olympic bronze

<p>An Olympic medallist has shared the shocking state of his bronze medal, just one week after winning it. </p> <p>US skateboarder Nyjah Huston won bronze in the Men’s Street event on his skateboard at the Paris Olympics, and returned to the USA after his win. </p> <p>Huston, 29, has been staying in Laguna Beach in California, enjoying his break with friends and soaking up the sun as well as showing off his new medal.</p> <p>However, the medal is no longer looking as clean as it was when awarded to him, as she showed off in a video he posted to Instagram. </p> <p>In the clip, the medal could be seen looking battered and peeling.</p> <p>Hutson insisted that the quality of the metal may not be as “high” as he initially thought and called for it to be improved.</p> <p>He said, “Alright, so the medals look great when they are brand new."</p> <p>“But they look worse after I let them sit on my skin with some sweat for a little while and let my friends wear them over the weekend."</p> <p>“They are apparently not as high quality as you would think. I mean look at that thing, it is looking rough."</p> <p>“Even the front is starting to chip off a little so I think the Olympic medals need to step up the quality a little bit.”</p> <p>In a separate post, he added, “Medal looking like it went to war and back. I guess the medals are meant to be in cases. Not meant for the send.”</p> <p>Huston then posted a follower’s reply to his Instagram story that read, “Looks like ya won that thing in 1982 mate.”</p> <p>Many were quick to comment on his post, assuming the medals would be of higher quality.</p> <p>One person wrote, “What a piece of trash from the Olympics,” while another asked, “Did you keep the receipt?”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Country boycotts Paris Games after being stripped of medal

<p>The prime minister of Romania has vowed to boycott the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics over what he described as “flagrant injustice” to two of the country’s gymnasts.</p> <p>Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has called out the "scandalous situation" surrounding Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Voinea, who both missed out on medals after the women's floor routines. </p> <p>Barbosu was initially believed to have won bronze and was beginning to celebrate the win, when the judges then adjusted the difficulty of American gymnast Jordan Chiles' routine, bumping her up into third place and sending the Romanian gymnasts into fourth and fifth position. </p> <p>The president of the country’s gymnastics federation Carmencita Constantin told AFP she would file two complaints to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after both Romanian gymnasts left the competition in tears.</p> <p>Voinea, 17, who filed an unsuccessful appeal of her own, complained she had been unfairly penalised.</p> <p>Fellow Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci chimed in on the controversy, urging a review of Voinea’s routine, after she claimed the athlete didn’t step outside the floor surface, an act she had been punished for.</p> <p>It comes as heartbreaking new footage of Barbosu’s medal being taken away emerged, after the final scores were updated and resulted in her coming in fourth place. </p> <p>As a result, the Romanian gymnastics team, who qualified for the first time in 12 years, left Paris without a medal after coming in seventh in the team competition.</p> <p>Prime Minister Ciolacu shared his upset over the loss, saying the athletes were treated "dishonourably" and would be boycotting the closing ceremony in protest. </p> <p>“I have decided not to attend the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics after the scandalous situation in gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonourable way,” he wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>Romania also sent a letter of protest to the International Gymnastics Federation, after it was revealed that Voinea has now quit gymnastics after the dramatic Olympics loss. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Daniela Porcelli/SPP/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“Outrageous”: Silver medal stripped after illegal act

<p>The women's 5,000m final has ended in controversy after the second place holder was stripped of her medal and disqualified. </p> <p>Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet took out first place in the final, while her fellow countrywoman Faith Kipyegon crossed the line second. </p> <p>The two Kenyan champions were seen celebrating with their country's flag after the race concluded, but their celebrations were cut short when news of Kipyegon's disqualification came through. </p> <p>Replays show that with two laps of the race to go, Kipyegon became entangled in a close proximity battle with Ethiopian rival Gudaf Tsegay as they raced for the first place. </p> <p>Kipyegon appeared to pull on the arm of Tsegay who reacted angrily by fending off the Kenyan.</p> <p>A Eurosport commentator was in disbelief over the display and couldn’t quite believe Kipyegon had been disqualified over the act. </p> <p>“That was outrageous I’m afraid. I am astonished,” he said on the global broadcast.</p> <p>“That was dreadful. She was not in front of her and shouldn’t have moved into her space. She wasn’t remotely far enough in front of her. There’s a rule you cannot [enter] into the space of an athlete where their feet are landing. Tsegay there was very out of order."</p> <p>“I think Tsegay was pushing into Kipyegon. Kipyegon just tried to protect her area, her zone so to speak."</p> <p>“If anything from those pictures what I’ve witnessed so far, and we need to get more information, I think Tsegay should have been disqualified. I am utterly flabbergasted. I cannot believe it. If anything they’ve got it completely wrong.”</p> <p>Because of the disqualification, Dutchwoman Sifansaw Hassan moved into the silver medal position, while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti took bronze.</p> <p>The Kenyan team officials, however, were determined to fight the disqualification, as they swiftly filed an appeal, arguing that the contact between the two athletes was incidental and did not warrant being stripped of her medal. </p> <p>After a thorough review of the incident, the appeal panel agreed with the Kenyan team’s assessment, concluding that the contact was part of the natural dynamics of a highly competitive race. </p> <p>As a result, Kipyegon's silver medal was reinstated.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Dave Shopland/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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Nick Kyrgios blasts Ash Barty’s historic win

<p dir="ltr">Nick Kyrgios has hit back at Ash Barty’s historic win of the Newcombe Medal for a record fifth time in a row.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old retired tennis player won the Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards for her Australian Open success.</p> <p dir="ltr">This, however, did not appear to sit right with fellow Aussie Kyrgios, who said she did not deserve the medal after having only played the Australian Open this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an Instagram story, Kyrgios shared a photo with Barty and his achievements in the past year, clearly showing he achieved more.</p> <p dir="ltr">He had the caption: "LOL. No respect at all. I don't give a f***."</p> <p dir="ltr">The graphic showed that Barty had played only three months of 2022 in which she won two singles titles and one doubles crown, including 14 matches across the two formats.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kyrgios on the other hand had one singles title and three doubles crowns, as well as 61 victories across the two disciplines.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/12/nick-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the huge difference in numbers, it would appear that Kyrgios played better than Barty but that is not the case.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty won a singles grand slam and Kyrgios simply did not after losing the Wimbledon singles decider to Novak Djokovic while Barty defeated Danielle Collins.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Ash Barty makes history while flashing her stunning wedding ring

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has once again made history when she became the first person to win a fifth Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards.</p> <p dir="ltr">The retired tennis player turned heads when she arrived at Melbourne's Crown Palladium on Monday night where she was honoured for her Australian Open success.</p> <p dir="ltr">All eyes were on the 26-year-old as she stunned in a black dress and massive $14,000 diamond wedding ring as she walked down the red carpet with her husband Garry Kissick.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former world No.1 was then presented the highest individual honour in Australian tennis by John Newcombe following her success at the 2022 Australian Open - 11 singles and four doubles victories.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s obviously an amazing way to cap off what has been an incredible journey,” Barty said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The journey of a lifetime, the journey of me chasing after my dreams and exploring what was possible out in the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty beat six Newcombe Medal nominees including: Hunter, Ajla Tomljanović, Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley was also honoured that night receiving the Spirit of Tennis Award.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Full list: 2022 Australian Tennis Awards recipients as per Tennis Australia</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Newcombe Medal: Ash Barty (QLD)</p> <p dir="ltr">Spirit of Tennis Award: Evonne Goolagong Cawley (NSW)</p> <p dir="ltr">Female Junior Athletes of the Year: Talia Gibson (WA) and Taylah Preston (WA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Male Junior Athlete of the Year: Edward Winter (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability: Heath Davidson (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding School: Aitken Creek Primary School (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding Tennis Club or Venue: Collaroy Tennis Club (NSW)</p> <p dir="ltr">30+ Tennis Senior of the Year: Jarrod Broadbent (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Coaching Excellence – Club: David Grainger (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Coaching Excellence – Development: Luke Bourgeois (NSW)</p> <p dir="ltr">Coaching Excellence – Performance: Craig Tyzzer (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Excellence in Officiating: Robyn Tucker (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding Tournament: Euroa Lawn Tennis Club Labour Day (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Volunteer Achievement Award: Julie Polkinghorne (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Kiwi firefighters receive rare Aussie honour for heroic efforts

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand firefighter has been awarded one of Australia’s special service awards for his efforts in fighting bushfires during the summer of 2019 and 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">Phil Muldoon, Lake Ōkāreka’s chief rural fire officer, was one of 53 firefighters awarded the Australia National Emergency Medal during a recent awards ceremony.</p> <p dir="ltr">Muldoon, who worked 16-hour days fighting fires, said the honour was very humbling.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not what we do it for but it is nice to be recognised, especially from the Australian Government,” Muldoon told <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/australia-bush-fires-nz-firefighter-given-rare-and-special-honour/4K7KKB2WRVEHXJKJ7IC5WBFY4I/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was among a 208-strong contingent of New Zealanders sent to help their Aussie neighbours, including personnel from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), the Department of Conservation, forestry company partners, and the New Zealand Defence Force.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We were proud to see 27 Department of Conservation firefighters awarded the Australia National Emergency Medal last week for their efforts fighting the devastating Australian wildfires during the 2019/2020 black summer. 🎖️<a href="https://t.co/Wh7xVdZQ8g">https://t.co/Wh7xVdZQ8g</a> <a href="https://t.co/vl8iEC9acs">pic.twitter.com/vl8iEC9acs</a></p> <p>— Department of Conservation (@docgovtnz) <a href="https://twitter.com/docgovtnz/status/1591974150008377344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The majority of those who took part received the award during recent official ceremonies hosted in New Zealand by Australian High Commissioner HE Harinder Sidhu.</p> <p dir="ltr">Muldoon received his award along with 38 firefighters from FENZ, two members of the NZ Army, eight NZ Air Force members, two from the Department of Conservation, and three from forestry company partners.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having been a firefighter for 25 years, Muldoon said fighting the bushfires was his 16th deployment and that firefighters were chosen to deploy based on their skillset.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We went to help their firefighters in Australia who had a tough season. We’re fresh feet on the ground and give them a break,” Muldoon said, adding that the contingent brought New Zealand’s “can-do” attitude with them.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A great honour to present the Australian National Emergency Medal at Ohakea <a href="https://twitter.com/NZAirForce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZAirForce</a> base, and to personally thank members of the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZDefenceForce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZDefenceForce</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FireEmergencyNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FireEmergencyNZ</a> for their service to Australia in support of the 2019-20 Australian Bushfires response. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZAirForce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZAirForce</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Force4NZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Force4NZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/GtTUay8VY6">pic.twitter.com/GtTUay8VY6</a></p> <p>— Harinder Sidhu (@AusHCNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/AusHCNZ/status/1580682019985854464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Earlier this month, nine firefighters from Northland received the award, including wildfire specialist Rory Renwick.</p> <p dir="ltr">After spending 14 days fighting blazes in remote Australian bush, Renwick said the gratitude expressed through the medal was just “icing on the cake”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"People stopped you on the street to shake your hand and say thank you. It's humbling and pretty amazing," he told <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-firefighters-awarded-medal-for-efforts-during-australian-bushfires/FIMYEOSD5QQGEYTVSFHIRP34WI/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Renwick explained that New Zealand crews were often working in remote areas and tackling large fires.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We were trying to put out the edge of the fire to stop it spreading," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We did anything from patrolling edges [and] dealing with small hotspots to working with aircraft and heavy machinery to slow the fire down and stop it."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was presented with a national emergency <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/medal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#medal</a> Monday night for the 19/20 bushfires here in Australia. <a href="https://t.co/L8il9Eob7P">pic.twitter.com/L8il9Eob7P</a></p> <p>— Craig Chiffers (@cchiffers) <a href="https://twitter.com/cchiffers/status/1569818214888263681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The award, which was approved by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011, is given to those who performed significant or sustained service during “nationally-significant emergencies”, according to the Governor-General’s <a href="https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awardsnational-emergency-medal/bushfires-2019-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Muldoon, Renwick, and the many others recognised for their efforts during the bushfires will receive a medal with a clasp that reads, “BUSHFIRES 19-20”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Russell Wood, the national commander of FENZ, said the award had never been given to any member of the organisation before.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a rare and special honour that the Australian Government has extended to us,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The bushfires in Australia in 2019/20 were catastrophic and we were glad we could be there to help them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am immensely proud of our people, who responded to the call so selflessly and put their time and energy into fighting one of the biggest wildfire disasters of our time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a dangerous environment for everyone to be in, and they showed true Kiwi spirit in their sustained efforts under challenging conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As a nation, we are very proud of our fine firefighters.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Fire and Emergency NZ (Facebook)</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Olympian who beat bone cancer sells medal to save toddler

<p>Olympic medallist Maria Andrejczyk has decided to auction off her silver medal for a very worthwhile cause. </p> <p>The Polish athlete, who won the silver medal for her outstanding performance in javelin, is auctioning off the medal to help fun a toddler's life-saving heart surgery.</p> <p>After beating bone cancer herself, the Olympian wants to help the young boy and his family pay for the operation, which comes with a hefty cost of $246,000.</p> <p>The 25-year-old athlete took to her Facebook page to call for her fans to help her. </p> <p>She said, “Miloszek has a serious heart defect. He needs an operation."</p> <p>“He already has a head start from Kubus — a boy who didn’t make it in time but whose amazing parents decided to pass on the funds they collected."</p> <p>“And in this way, I also want to help. It’s for him that I am auctioning my Olympic silver medal.”</p> <p>Maria missed out on an Olympic medal at Rio in 2016, before having to sit out the following year for a shoulder injury, which later led to her cancer diagnosis in 2018. </p> <p>After making it to the podium in Japan, she explained why she will be using her medal to help those in need. </p> <p>On a Polish television show, she said, “The true value of a medal always remains in the heart. A medal is only an object, but it can be of great value to others."</p> <p>“This silver can save lives, instead of collecting dust in a closet. That is why I decided to auction it to help sick children.”</p> <p>Maria's personal best of 71.4 metres is the third longest ever thrown by a woman in javelin, but her kind action will go much further. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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China re-jigs Olympic medal tally to place itself first

<p>Sections of the Chinese media have been caught out changing the 2021 Olympics medal tally by placing China at the top of the list, ahead of the USA.</p> <p>This year's Olympics in Tokyo saw the USA finish first with 39 gold medals with China coming in a close second with 38 gold medals and the host nation, Japan, finished third with 27 golds.</p> <p>But China Central Television (CCTV), which is a state-controlled broadcaster run by the Chinese Communist Party, has been caught out listing China as having won 42 gold medals and winning the overall medal tally.</p> <p>This re-jigged tally came to light after it was seen on the Chinese social media platform - Weibo.</p> <p>From this platform, the graphic appeared all over mainstream social media with people on Twitter seeing the rejigged tally.</p> <p>Some have said the new tally is because the CCTV found a way to boost their medals by including Taiwan and Hong Kong in their overall tally. But even with these two nations’ medals, this only adds three gold medals to China’s overall tally, so it’s unclear where the 42 gold medals comes from.</p> <p>Hong Kong earned just one gold medal at the Games, while Taiwan, which competes as 'Chinese Taipei', earned two gold medals.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty and Twitter</em></p>

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Team GB rocked by doping controversy at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Great Britain's men’s track team is in danger of having their silver medal being stripped, after one of its athletes tested positive for banned substances. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Britain's Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist Chijindu 'CJ' Ujah has been provisionally suspended for allegedly breaching strict anti-doping rules at the games.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reported that athlete had returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from a test carried during the Olympics in Japan. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The substances detected were Ostarine and S-23, which are both classified by the World Anti-doping Organisation, as they have similar effects to steroids. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The substances have been banned from the Olympics for some time, as they help build muscle and enhance overall sporting performance. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CJ responded to the news of the doping scandal with a cryptic Instagram post that said, “Stay focused… Because truth is madder than fiction.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CJ is allowed to request independent analysis of the sample to prove his innocence and keep his Olympic title. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If he is found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs, it could be devastating for his fellow members of the relay team. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake will also be at risk of being stripped if the positive is confirmed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The news comes after three other track and field athletes were suspended during the Games for suspected doping. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moroccan-born Bahraini 1,500m runner Sadik Mikhou, Georgian shot putter Benik Abramyan and Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo were listed for using performance-enhancing drugs, and remain under investigation by the AIU. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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War medal reunited with family almost 100 years later

<p>A war medal lost on a Melbourne beach in Australia, almost more than 100 years ago, has finally been returned to the family of a World War I digger.</p> <p>Just in time for ANZAC Day, Private R.S.G. Smith’s lost WWI British Victory Medal lost on Chelsea Beach in 1925 has been returned – over 61 years since his death.</p> <p>The medal was found in 1980, about 10km away at Beaumaris Beach.</p> <p>Although there were attempts for the medal to be returned to its rightful owner, it was not until it was passed on to Lilydale police Sergeant Vaughan Artherton that the mystery was solved.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840880/gold-medal.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7753df1a9bab45f18cd4609ea3fc4678" /></p> <p>It was revealed that the man who found the medal 40 years ago was married at the time but later passed away.</p> <p>His wife later remarried and came into contact with Sergeant Atherton at their local Upwey Belgrave RSL Club.</p> <p>Sergeant Atherton found Private Smith’s details by combing through the National Archives of Australia, and it was there where he found Robert Stanley Gordon Smith who was born in Fitzroy in 1891.</p> <p>Mr Smith was enlisted at Broadmeadows on the August 7, 1915 and formed a part of the 13th Reinforcements, 5th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force.</p> <p>He later would go on to serve in France where he was wounded in action twice.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840879/gold-medal-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6bbbe9673e5e4ec693c7c62ccfb80faa" /></p> <p>The veteran would return to Australia after the war, and it was there he met and married Ada Grace Nicholl.</p> <p>He is memorialised at the Coburg cemetery in the north of Melbourne.</p> <p>Sergeant Atherton found information in his service record a statutory declaration where he requested to replace a “bade” that he had lost at Chelsea beach back in 1925.</p> <p>Private Smith’s nephew Alan Norster admitted he was overjoyed when Sergeant Atherton located him to return the war medal.</p> <p>“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to have this medal put on display at Upwey- Belgrave RSL museum,” he said.</p> <p> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840878/gold-medal-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bb4b6b1c057846f2a29f1f1e499cfe16" /> </p> <p>“I am sure Private Smith’s medal will be treasured by all present and future RSL members”.</p> <p>“I am glad that I have been successful on this occasion in reuniting the medal with the recipient’s relatives”.</p> <p>The successful reunion comes just in time for Anzac Day on Sunday to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landing.</p> <p><em>Images: Channel 9</em></p>

Retirement Life

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A hero no more? Why princess Anne's kidnapping saviour must give up his medal

<p><span>The man who aided in helping Princess Anne from being kidnapped has been forced to give up a medal he received in recognition of his incredible bravery over 46 years ago. </span><br /><br /><span>The Queen’s daughter was only 23 at the time and on her way to Buckingham Palace after s charity event when her car was suddenly cut off in the middle of the road by another vehicle. </span><br /><br /><span>Jumping out of a car, stepped Ian Ball, gun in hand, who proceeded to shoot the royal's chauffeur and security officer before telling Princess Anne she had to go with him.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OG-MBHe1U/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OG-MBHe1U/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Dix Noonan Webb (@dixnoonanwebb)</a> on Feb 6, 2020 at 1:30am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>In a 1980s interview about the kidnapping attempt, the Royal Princess revealed she took a surprisingly no-nonsense approach with her attacker.</span><br /><br /><span>"He opened the door, and we had a sort of discussion, hah, about where or where not we were going to go," she admitted calmly in the interview as she recalled details. </span><br /><br /><span>"He said I had to go with him, can't remember why. I said I didn't think I wanted to go. I was scrupulously polite, because I thought 'it's silly to be too rude'.</span><br /><br /><span>"We had a fairly low-key discussion about the fact that I wasn't going to go anywhere, and wouldn't it be much better if he moved away and we'd all forget about it?"</span><br /><br /><span>Interestingly enough, Princess Anne was not rude until Ball accidentally tore her gown when she was stepping out of the vehicle and Anne got angry. </span><br /><br /><span>However, he was not forced to face the wrath of the royal as out of nowhere, 6'4 former boxer Ronald Russell took a swing at the back of Ball's head and distracted him.</span><br /><br /><span>Ball took off running as more police arrived and was later arrested in part thanks to Russell's well-timed punch.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OYRRAnDll/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8OYRRAnDll/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Dix Noonan Webb (@dixnoonanwebb)</a> on Feb 6, 2020 at 4:01am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><br /><span>Princess Anne left the incident without a scratch on her and Russell was later awarded the George Medal from bravery by the Queen, who was beyond grateful that her daughter was safe.</span><br /><span>"The medal is from the Queen, but I want to thank you as Anne's mother," Her Majesty told Russell as she presented him with the medal.</span><br /><br /><span>Sadly, 46 years later Russell is being forced to let go of the medal, something he said he “would never ever do”. </span><br /><br /><span>Following years of declining health, the 72-year-old has decided to sell the royal memento, which could go for as much as $38,000.</span><br /><br /><span>However, he has a simple request for the person who buys the keepsake. </span><br /><br /><span>"What I would like is whoever does eventually buy the medal, I would hope they might invite me somewhere to tell them about what happened on the night," he told the <em>BBC.</em></span><br /><br /><span>Russell recalled Princess Anne remained calm and collected when Ball confronted the royal with a gun, telling her assailant: "Just go away and don't be such a silly man."</span><br /><br /><span>Moments later Russell made a move to protect the princess, and squared up against Ball despite the danger he’d be putting himself in. </span><br /><br /><span>"Ball stood there glaring at me with the gun and I hit him," Russell said. </span><br /><br /><span>"I hit him as hard as I could, and he was flat on the floor face down."</span></p>

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“Special and genuine”: Prince William uses sign language to honour TV translator

<p>Prince William is hard at work at Buckingham Palace as he handed out Most Excellence Order of the British Empire (MBEs).</p> <p>He impressed royal fans as he congratulated one guest in sign language.</p> <p>The Duke of Cambridge, 37, can be seen smiling at TV interpreter Alex Duguid as he communicated “congratulations Alex”.</p> <p>Duguid quickly thanked the Prince.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7TaW8il-pi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7TaW8il-pi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal)</a> on Jan 14, 2020 at 6:25am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Duguid received his MBE for his services to deaf people and to British Sign Language education, as he has spent three decades helping broadcasters communicate with deaf audiences. Duguid also teaches British Sign Language courses through the organisation Signature, which helps hundreds of people communicate with deaf people.</p> <p>The Kensington Palace Instagram paid tribute to Duguid and his services, saying:</p> <p>“He is an example of how profoundly deaf people can have an impact on their community, their peers and their country.</p> <p>“He is passionate about BSL and the need to promote and protect it.”</p> <p>Many were quick to praise Prince William for using sign language to honour Duguid.</p> <p>“Prince William is such a great person. He takes time to make people feel special and appreciated. His smile is genuine also,” one person tweeted.</p> <p>“It is so lovely that William signed to Mr Duguid, who must have been very touched by the gesture. I love Williams smile when he finished!” another agreed.</p> <p>Other recipients that were honoured by Prince William include Father Brian D’Arcy, Sir Andrew Strauss, Margaret and William Foster and musician M.I.A.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Olympian Michael Diamond sells gold medal ahead of heart operation

<p><span>Olympic shooter Michael Diamond is selling his gold medal from the 1996 Atlanta Games after suffering from a heart failure.</span></p> <p><span>The 47-year-old said he is currently awaiting a heart transplant at a Newcastle hospital following a “bizarre and alarming” diagnosis.</span></p> <p><span>“This is the greatest fight of my life,” he told <em><a href="https://www.newidea.com.au/olympian-michael-diamond-fights-for-life-after-shock-arrest">New Idea</a></em>.</span></p> <p><span>Diamond said he started noticing his health problems a month ago after suffering shortness of breath. An ultrasound at Gosford Hospital revealed that Diamond’s heart was functioning at just 15 per cent. </span></p> <p><span>“They told me I’m actually in line for a heart transplant,” he said. “I thought, I’m too young for that.”</span></p> <p><span>Diamond missed the selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics after he was charged with high-range drink driving, firearm offences and domestic violence offences. The conviction saw him banned from holding a firearm’s licence until 2017, when he successfully appealed against the conviction in Newcastle District Court.</span></p> <p><span>In the same year, the former champion sold his gold medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics to pay for the legal bills for $72,000.</span></p> <p><span>Auction house Leonard Joel announced on Monday that Diamond’s Atlanta medal would be auctioned on December 5. It is estimated to bring between $50,000 and $70,000.</span></p> <p><span>“I still have bills and I’ve still got to survive,” Diamond said. “It’s a pretty sobering feeling to have your heart fail on you … It puts things into check.</span></p> <p><span>“I do want to hang around. I want to see my kids get older and get married and I want to have grandchildren. I’d be very grateful for life.”</span></p>

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Paralympic gold medallist dies by euthanasia at age 40

<p>Paralympian gold medallist Marieke Vervoort has passed away by euthanasia at the age of 40, 11 years after making a promise to herself.</p> <p>The Belgian Paralympian suffered from an incurable degenerative spinal condition which was diagnosed at the age of 21.</p> <p>The diagnosis followed years of pain, and Vervoort continued to suffer after receiving her diagnosis.</p> <p>"I know how I feel now, but I don't know how I'll feel after half an hour," she says. "It can be that I feel very, very bad, I get an epileptic attack, I cry, I scream because of pain. I need a lot of painkillers, valium, morphine,” she told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/50150513" target="_blank">the BBC.</a></em></p> <p>"A lot of people ask me how is it possible that you can have such good results and still be smiling with all the pain and medication that eats your muscles. For me, sports, and racing with a wheelchair - it's a kind of medication."</p> <p>Vervoort was a strong advocate for euthanasia, as she first signed the documents necessary back in 2008, just six years after euthanasia was made legal in Belgium.</p> <p>"I was a very depressed person. I was thinking about how I was going to kill myself,” she said.</p> <p>"All those people who get those papers here in Belgium – they have a good feeling. They don't have to die in pain.</p> <p>"They can choose a moment, and be with the people they want to be with. With euthanasia you're sure that you will have a soft, beautiful death."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x0kvcH4ud/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x0kvcH4ud/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Can’t forget the good memories!</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/wielemie.marieke.vervoort/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Marieke Vervoort</a> (@wielemie.marieke.vervoort) on Oct 18, 2019 at 4:45pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A statement from the Belgian Paralympic Committee and IPC called her a “source of inspiration in our society”.</p> <p>"We will not forget Marieke Vervoort's great sporting achievements, as well as her courage in the face of illness," said President of the Belgian Paralympic Committee, Anne d'Ieteren.</p> <p>Marc Vergauwen, Secretary General of the Belgian Paralympic Committee, shared the same sentiment.</p> <p>“Marieke Vervoort brought the disabled into the light with her two medals at the London Paralympic Games.</p> <p>"Her performances as well as her spontaneous interviews after her races generated great media attention for Paralympic sport in Belgium and were a source of inspiration for our society."</p>

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101-year-old wins sprinting gold medal at the World Masters Games

<p>The most popular medal at the World Masters Games has gone to the oldest competitor - 101-year-old Indian sprinter Man Kaur.</p> <p>She was heartily cheered when a gold medal was draped around her neck after winning her one-woman 100m race at the Waitakere's Trusts Arena athletics stadium on Monday.</p> <p>Man Kaur - sporting her special number, 10001 - crossed the line in 1min 14.58sec - almost 1min 4sec short of the women's world record for the distance.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-video"> <p dir="ltr">Amazing 101 year old completing the 100m <a href="https://twitter.com/WMG2017">@WMG2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WMG2017?src=hash">#WMG2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/wUEcPHThv0">pic.twitter.com/wUEcPHThv0</a></p> — Wɐʎuǝ Qnǝpןǝʎ (@UUJQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/UUJQ/status/856260816936386560">April 23, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>But Man Kaur was definitely a champion in the eyes of the crowd, epitomising the spirit of the Masters Games.</p> <p>She raised her hands in prayer position to thank her supporters and sported a winning smile at the medal ceremony.</p> <p>She arrived in Auckland to much fanfare a week ago and has been embraced by the city's Indian community.</p> <p>​The World Masters Games crowds will be seeing a lot more of Man Kaur yet.</p> <p>She will also take part in the 200m, shot put and javelin this week.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: The Canadian Press via Darryl Dyck Twitter</em></p>

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