Daily Archives: June 9, 2023

Gay Olympic rower Robbie Manson has become the latest athlete to join OnlyFans, sharing the news with his 30,000 fans on Instagram.

Manson, a two-time Olympian and under-23 and senior world championship medalist, comes from a family of rowers. His father Greg won the singles lightweight national championship in 1985, and his brother Karl has also competed on the international stage.

Hailing from New Zealand, Manson publicly came out as gay in 2014, sharing his experience in a statement published by Out Sports. In the piece, Manson described realising his sexuality at the age of 19 but struggling to admit it to himself, attempting to deny those feelings and conform to heterosexuality.

Over the weekend, Manson took to Instagram to announce that he had officially joined the internet content subscription platform. His caption read:

Ive joined OnlyFans! I can almost hear the gasps and raised eyebrows from here. But before you judge, hear me out! Now, let me clarify: I havent gone rogue and started a secret adult film career. No! Im on OnlyFans sharing artistic pictures that celebrate the human form in a tasteful and respectful manner.

Think of it as a highbrow gallery meets my rowing journey, sprinkled with a dash of cheekiness. Why, you ask? Well, besides the fact that Im all about pushing boundaries and challenging norms, it also helps support me financially while Im pursuing my passion as an athlete.

Manson explained his reason for joining OnlyFans. Besides the fact that Im all about pushing boundaries and challenging norms, it also helps support me financially while Im pursuing my passion as an athlete, Manson said.

The athlete assured his followers there would be no explicit content or shenanigans, just a fun and playful space where I can express myself creatively and promote body positivity, sensuality, and self-acceptance. Manson acknowledged that his decision may not align with everyones expectations.

I want to emphasise that my core values and dedication to my athletic pursuits remain intact. So, lets keep the judgment at bay and embrace this quirky adventure together. Im grateful for your support, your sense of humour, and your open minds as I strive for greatness both on and off the water, Manson added.

In a recent interview with Out Sports, Manson reflected on his break from rowing, during which he explored other interests such as working with horses and coaching. Now, he is making a comeback in his rowing career, with his sights set on the upcoming World Championships in Belgrade in September and qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

I believe my story holds the potential to inspire and challenge conventional perspectives. Its about embracing authenticity, pursuing passions, and navigating uncharted waters, he wrote.

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Gay Olympic Rower Robbie Manson Joins OnlyFans - Star Observer

One year before French capital hosts the greatest show on earth, Fridays Diamond League will act as a brilliant apritif

The Diamond League in Paris on Friday (June 9) features line-ups that are every bit as strong as some of the Olympic finals we will see in the same French capital next year. Brits in action include Keely Hogkinson, Laura Muir and Dina Asher-Smith, while international stars include Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Faith Kipyegon, both of whom will be outside their comfort zone in events they dont usually do.

Running here is going to be amazing with one year to go before the Olympics, said Asher-Smith at the pre-event press conferences on Thursday. Its an amazing opportunity. I know this might sound controversial but its only an hour from London it feels like a home Olympics. There are good vibes for next year and good vibes for tomorrow.

Asher-Smith faces Abbey Steiner, Gabby Thomas, Marie-Jose Ta Lou and others in the 200m while Hodgkinson takes on Ajee Wilson, Raevyn Rogers, Halima Nakaayi, Noelie Yarigo, Catriona Bisset, to name a few, in her summer debut over 800m.

Muir, meanwhile, is in the most intriguing race of all as she tackles the 5000m for the first time in several years as she aims to smash her PB of 14:49.12, which was set indoors in 2017.

Laura Muir and Faith Kipyegon (Getty)

Also in the field is Kipyegon, fresh from her 3:49.11 world 1500m record in Florence. Like Muir she is making a rare step-up in distance, too, although she says it is part of a plan to eventually move to the marathon.

It was a really beautiful night and smashing that record, said Kipyegon, whose PB of 14:31.95 dates back to 2015. Im expecting a good race but Im nervous as its really long and eight years since I ran it seriously. I want to graduate to 5000m first and upgrade slowly and slowly to the marathon in the future. I dont know when or where but I have in my mind it will happen some day.

An incredible field also sees world 5000m, 10,000m and half-marathon record-holder Letesenbet Gidey take part in her first race since her dramatic collapse at the end of the World Cross Country Championships in February.

The line-up also includes world steeplechase record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech, world 5km record-holder Ejgayehu Taye, world indoor 3000m champion Lemlem Hailu of Ethiopia, 2019 world silver medallist Margaret Kipkemboi, world cross bronze medallist Agnes Ngetich and North American 10,000m record-holder Alicia Monson

Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Getty)

An expected crowd of 18,000 at the Stade Charlety will also see Jakob Ingebrigtsen attack Daniel Komens world two miles record of 7:58.61, which was set in Hechtel in 1997. Failing that, the European best is held by Mo Farah with 8:07.85, set in Birmingham in 2014.

Can the Olympic 1500m champion run two consecutive sub-four-minute miles? His opposition includes world under-20 cross-country champion Ishmael Kipkirui and recent Night of the 10,000m PBs winner Paul Chelimo.

Marcell Jacobs (Getty)

After missing recent races with small injury issues, Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs takes on world 200m champion Noah Lyles, plus Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, in the 100m. World 100m champion Fred Kerley is a notable absentee, though, with Jacobs saying on Thursday: This thing ( recent trash talk) I have with Fred is a lot of fun as it gets people talking about a sport that needs more visibility. Its good to have some hype.

Sydney McLaughlin (Getty)

McLaughlin-Levrone, the world 400m hurdles record-holder from the United States, faces world No.1 Marileidy Paulino of Dominican Republic in her specialist event the flat 400m. Watch out too for 2019 world champion Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, who is improving with every race following a suspension due to missing drugs tests. US heptathlete Anna Hall and Britains Ama Pipi are also in the race.

McLaughlin-Levrone said: Everyone is expecting crazy, amazing things but my goal is to open up my season healthily and strong and see where Im at as we continue to progress through 2023.

Hall is also in the womens high jump along with Brit Morgan Lake, American Vashti Cunningham and Australian Nicola Olyslagers, while French decathlon star Kevin Mayer is in a triathlon (long jump, sprint hurdles and shot put).

Kevin Mayer (Getty)

Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia, who broke Komens world indoor 3000m record earlier this year, is looking for a fast time in the mens 3000m steeplechase. Maybe the world record of 7:53.63 could be under danger too.

As if all this isnt entertaining enough, there will be breakdancing exhibitions in between the track and field action ahead of that sports Olympic debut in Paris in 2024.

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Olympic-quality athletics arrives one year early in Paris - AW - Athletics Weekly

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Elliana Leone proudly displays her red ribbon for competing in the Special Olympics wheelchair race on Wednesday morning at SUNY Fredonia. Elliana is flanked by teacher aide Amy Witkowski and kindergarten teacher Mark Putney, while surrounded by her classmates who came from Wheelock School to support her.

Every athlete deserves a chance to compete. Wednesday provided that opportunity for nearly 300 athletes that deserve the thrill of competition as much as anyone.

The 32nd annual Special Olympics Track and Field Meet was held Wednesday at SUNY Fredonia for athletes of all ages from local school districts. The event returned after a three-year hiatus.

Its life changing. These guys are amazing, said Amy Witkowski, a teacher aide at Wheelock School. Its a feeling that you cant ever replicate, except for here once a year. Im so happy they brought it back.

Among the school districts to participate included the LoGuidice Educational Center (BOCES), Brocton, Dunkirk, Forestville, Fredonia, Gowanda, North Collins, Pine Valley and Silver Creek. The competitions were held exclusively inside Dods Hall and the Steele Hall Fieldhouse due to poor air quality conditions caused by the ongoing Canadian wildfires.

Its overwhelming. The energy is so positive, said Nichole Dispense, nurse at Dunkirk School 7. Its just an amazing environment, and Im so happy our students get to do this.

Dunkirk student Gabe Valentine carried the torch last, as the runners took laps around the track following the parade of Special Olympics athletes during the opening ceremony.

Despite the challenging air quality conditions, the morning began with the Scott Kowalski Memorial Torch Run, which commenced at 9 a.m. at Dunkirk High School. Local law enforcement participated alongside Dunkirk students, who began the run outside of the school entrance, took a lap around the halls, then departed to commence their journey from the Dunkirk High School campus to the SUNY Fredonia Fieldhouse at Steele Hall. Since the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1986, more than $14 million has been raised for Special Olympics of New York.

Ive never been part of a cadence before, so that was new. That was so much fun. It was a nice group of guys, they are here for a good cause it was just fun. I got so much from it, said Zach Zentz, a Dunkirk High School student who participated in the torch run.

Possession of the torch passed through hands of each runner until it wound up in the hands of Dunkirk student Gabe Valentine, who carried it as the runners took laps around the track following the parade of Special Olympics athletes during the opening ceremony. Valentine carried the torch last to honor members of his family who have served as corrections officers, just as Kowalski did before he passed away in 2017. Kowalski participated in the torch run for the Special Olympics during his time as a corrections officer. Flags to honor Kowalski and Donna Northrop, who served as a Department of Corrections Grievance Supervisor until her death in 2018, were carried alongside the torch throughout the route.

After the final lap was completed, Dunkirk students sang the national anthem on stage. Then, each schools athletes were recognized prior to the commencement of the games.

Among the first competitions of the day was the wheelchair race, which featured a pair of kindergarten students from Wheelock among the participants. Jessi Blanco Pagan from Kathy Rushs class and Elliana Leone from Mark Putneys class competed in the race, as they were cheered on by their classmates, who made the trip in support, holding custom handmade posters.

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Dunkirk student athlete Ayden Hamernick eyes a target distance during the tennis ball throw event at the Special Olympics, Wednesday, at SUNY Fredonia.

This has just been an awesome experience for our student, Elliana, and all the students in our classroom, said Putney. Were cheerleaders for her today. This is her day.

Elliana competed in the race individually as her aide, Witkowski, cheered from the sidelines along with the rest of the class.

Watching her from the beginning of the school year to now, its like a flower when it blossoms, Witkowski said. Its really amazing, I cant describe the feeling.

All throughout the events, students were seen celebrating their accomplishments. From Elliana proudly holding her red ribbon in the air after the wheelchair race, to athletes clapping and shouting after tossing a tennis ball or a softball, the pride shown in the participants athleticism was prominently featured throughout the day.

Its always fun to see the kids perform. I think we might be more excited than they are, Forestville Superintendent Dr. John OConnor said. Its nice to see the smile on their faces, and for them to compete with their colleagues and friends.

Elliana Leone, a kindergarten student in Mark Putneys Wheelock School class, throws a softball during one of her three events of the day.

We have some of, I believe, the most competitive athletes in the Special Olympics program especially Mekiah (Sedlacek) shoutout to you, added Valentine in support of his Dunkirk classmates. Like the Special Olympics motto says, I know that if they dont succeed, they will still have lots of fun. I just think its great that they get to participate.

Law enforcement officers and Dunkirk High School students participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics. The torch was carried from Dunkirk High School to SUNY Fredonias Fieldhouse at Steele Hall.

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Day for champions: Hundreds cheer on Special Olympics at SUNY - Evening Observer

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are right on track and will set new standards for future stagings, the chair of the visiting International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission told a media conference here today.

Speaking after the Commissions latest three-day visit, Belgiums Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant announced: "We are confident that Paris will be ready to host the Games next year - and not just any Games, but a new type of Games.

"They will be unique, innovative, spectacular.

"They will be fully inclusive, sustainable, responsible and useful to society.

"We are convinced of this after our visit here - Paris will be a turning point of the organisation of the Games in the modern era.

"There will be a before and after for the Paris 2024 Games - we are convinced of this.

"The Paris 2024 ambitions and confidence are higher than ever.

"There are no delays - everything is on schedule.

"We have been delighted to see that, for the very first time, we have not worried about the Games opening on time because everything has already been pretty much built and a beautiful job has been done.

"Paris is where it should be 415 days before the Opening Ceremony."

During the visit Commission members held extensive meetings with Paris 2024 staff and looked over the Aquatics Centre that is nearing completion in Saint-Denis.

They also spent some time at the French Open tennis tournament, which taking place at Roland Garros, which is due to host both tennis and boxing competition at next year's Olympic Games.

Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet added: "It is really great to hear the IOC congratulate us.

"It is a good sign for all of those who have been working so hard on this project since 2017 to deliver an incredible Games.

"With 415 days to go this visit has been a major event for us.

"It has been a great thing for us to have been able to take stock of all the comments we have received and a wonderful opportunity for us to absorb lessons and to be more serene for the rest of the preparation work.

"We know the clock is ticking and we are fully mobilised, but we also need to remain humble.

"We want to be able to welcome the world in 2024 and we all feel a collective enthusiasm."

Referring to recent polls showing 92 per cent of French inhabitants were in favour of the Games, and also to the recent Olympic and Paralympic Week that engaged a million schoolchildren in learning and activity, Beckers-Vieujant added: "Never before has there been such determination to engage with the population of a host country.

"Paris 2024 wants to root the Games in the daily lives of French citizens, and this is something that is unprecedented.

"We are leaving here with a very high level of trust.

"The Games are taking shape, they are coming to life - you can really feel it."

This was the last significant visit by the IOC Coordination Commission ahead of a final look-in year.

The Commission comprises 11 members of the IOC, along with a representative each from the International Paralympic Committee and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations.

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IOC Coordination Commission chair says Paris 2024 will stage new Olympics - Insidethegames.biz

Indiana State was supposed to be hosting a Super Regional this weekend. Instead, the 16th-seeded Sycamores will travel to Fort Worth, Texas for a date with unseeded TCU instead.

The change in venue was necessitated thanks to preexisting plans in Terre Haute. The Indiana chapter of the Special Olympics had already reserved the date to hold its 51st annual Summer Games the same weekend. Without enough hotel rooms to meet the demand of local and traveling fans as well as ESPNs production crew the decision was made to shift the best-of-three series south following the Horned Frogs upset of top-seeded Arkansas Monday.

Its a difficult decision for Sycamores players who earned the right to play one more series at home, only to have it taken away for reasons outside their control. And its an unexpected blessing for a TCU team that suddenly gets the advantage of a partisan crowd. But the Horned Frog faithful are paying their good fortune forward with donations to Special Olympics Indiana.

The Lupton Drinking Club, a TCU sports-based podcast, put out a call to action June 5. In fewer than two days, its been retweeted more than 800 times. Thats resulted in more than $23,000 in new funding for the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Indiana CEO Jeff Mohler saw the donations as a sigil of true sportsmanship.

Sports at its truest, Mohler told Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR. The most fundamental part of our society is for the betterment of who we are as individuals and this is a testimony to that, what sports could and should be. It is more than competition, although we do like to keep score, obviously the scoreboard is on, but we can all be better for it, if we live it in the right spirit.

In this case, TCU fans were able to turn a negative for Indiana State into a positive for residents across the Hoosier State. That may not be the outcome Sycamore fans wanted, but its a result with which they can find a silver lining.

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TCU baseball fans donated more than $23k to Special Olympics Indiana - For The Win

The University of Minnesota gymnastics team has added Ava Stewart to the program, the team announced Wednesday.

Stewart, who represented Team Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, graduated from high school in the spring of 2023. The 2024 Paris Olympic hopeful will join the Gophers after she completes her training and potential participation in the Olympics and prior to the 2025 NCAA season.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ava to our program," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "She brings a tremendous amount of international competitive experience and incredible skill level that will make her an instant standout in the NCAA."

Stewart trains at Gemini Gymnastics and is coached by 1980 Olympic All-Around Champion Elena Davydova.

Stewart, who was born in Lebanon, Tenn., moved to Bowmanville, Ontario at the age of four. She has been competing for Team Canada since 2020 and made her international debut at the 2021 Olympic Games when she was 15. Since then she has competed at the 2022 City of Jesolo Stewart Trophy, where she helped Canada finish third in the team competition. Individually she qualified to and finished fifth in the uneven bars event final. In July of 2022, Stewart competed at the Pan American Championships where she helped Canada finish third as a team.

At this year's Canadian National Championships, she was the Bars National Champion while also finishing second in the all-around. Stewart will look to qualify to the 2023 World Championships this fall before her quest to make the 2024 Olympic Team for Canada.

"I chose Minnesota because the team felt like home, and the place felt like somewhere I could grow as a person," Stewart said.

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University of Minnesota Athletics - GopherSports.com

The headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was stormed by French anti-pension reform protesters on Tuesday in the wake of French PresidentEmmanuel Macrons decision to raise the retirement age.

An estimated 281,000 took to the streets in a last-minute attempt to pressure lawmakers into reversing the decision, which led to the HQ building located in Aubervilliers in northern Paris briefly being occupied.

There was no violence and no damage, a Games spokesperson said, according to Reuters.

There were far fewer protesters on Tuesday compared to the previous demonstration on May 1, which attracted an estimated 782,000.

Trade unions have been fighting Macrons move to make French citizens work longer to reach retirement age dating back to January, with numerous strikes and protests having taken place over the last six months.

Macron has said it was a necessary move to lift the legal retirement age by two years to 64 to fill in a widening pension deficit, though trade unions have suggested the money could be plugged in other ways, such as raising taxes for the wealthy.

Some protesters have threatened to disrupt next summers Paris Olympics if there isnt change, with some of the banners seen during the protests reading: No retirement, No Olympics.

French parliament is set to review an opposition-sponsored motion aimed at canceling the minimum pension age increase on Thursday. Its expected to be rejected (under the constitution, lawmakers cannot pass legislation that impacts public finances without measures to offset those costs, as reported byReuters), though unions hope a big protest turnout could pressure lawmakers into holding a vote.

We need to prepare for whats to come (after the summer), said Jean-Luc Carbonari, a 60-year-old sewer works engineer, according to Reuters. We need to reverse the political balance of power.

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Paris 2024 Olympic Headquarters Stormed By French Pension Protesters - SwimSwam

A special event was held at Zappeion Hall in Athens. Credit: AMNA

The Flame of Hope was lit on Wednesday and presented to officials and athletes of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in two separate special events, one at Zappeion Hall and another in the grounds of the German School of Athens.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou was present at the torch-lighting ceremony that was held at Zappeion Hall, prior to the Flames arrival at the German School.

At Zappeion Hall, Sakellaropoulou and German Ambassador to Greece Ernst Reichel presented the flame to Sven Albrecht (CEO Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023), Mahmut Ozdemir (Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry of the Interior for Home Affairs) and Dr. Nicola Bocker-Giannini (State Secretary for Sport at the German Senate Department for Internal Affairs & Sport).

They in turn presented the torch to Special Olympics athletes Vassiliki Katsoudi and Natascha Wermelskirchen, who, together with Berlin police officer Maja Seidel, started the first torch run through the streets of Athens to the German School of Athens, briefly stopping at 12 locations in Athens.

Addresses were delivered by Special Olympics Hellas president, Ambassador Dionyssios Kodellas, and Special Olympics regional president & managing director for Europe and Eurasia David Evangelista.

The flame will travel from Athens to Berlin on Thursday. The opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games 2023 will be held at Berlins Olympiastadion on June 17, while the games will be held through June 25.

The 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games will mark the first time that Germany has hosted the Special Olympics World Games.

There will be about 7,000 athletes and Unified partners from approximately 170 countries competing in 24 sports, with 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Greece also hosts the ceremony for the Olympic Flame which is lit every four years at Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held.

This ceremony starts the Olympic torch relay, which formally ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The flame then continues to burn in the cauldron for the duration of the Games, until it is extinguished during the Olympic closing ceremony.

The Olympic Flame for the 2024 Paris Games will take to the seas from its birthplace in Greece, arriving aboard a three-masted tall ship in the French port of Marseille.

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Special Olympics 2023 'Flame of Hope' Lit in Athens - Greek Reporter

Jordyn Wieber and Chris Brooks are officially married!!!

The 27-year-old Fierce Five Olympic gold medalist and the 36-year-old Olympic gymnast said I Do in front of just less than 200 guests in Bentonville, Arkansas, back on Sunday, May 28th.

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Our wedding was an absolute dream I got married to my best friend, all of our favorite people were there to celebrate with us, and every detail was perfect, Jordyn shared on Instagram, along with a few photos.

Some of the guests in attendance were her fellow Fierce Five teammates, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross, as well as fellow Olympic gymnasts Madison Kocian and Jake Dalton.

To become husband and wife is so exciting, Jordyn shared with People. It means we are committing to building a special and meaningful life together and to make the commitment in front of our favorite people at our wedding meant the world to us.

Jordyn and Chris first met in 2011, but didnt start dating until years later in 2017. They were then engaged in 2021.

If you recall, Jordyn competed in the 2012 Olympics in London, where, along with her team, won a gold medal in Womens Gymnastics. The next summer Olympics, Rio in 2016, Chris competed on the Mens team, placing 14th overall in the individual mens all around.

Congratulations to Jordyn and Chris on their nuptials!!!

If you missed it, another Olympic gold medalist gymnast recently got married

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Olympic Gymnasts Jordyn Wieber & Chris Brooks Tie the Knot in Arkansas Wedding - Just Jared Jr.

We are always on the lookout for great summertime events in the Southern Tier of New York State and Northeast Pennsylvania. We found one that is an event not to be missed.

The Special Olympics New York State Summer Games are about to begin. This year, the three day event begins on Thursday June 8th through Saturday June 10th with over 800 athletes and coaches from across the state, being held in Ithaca and Vestal.

According to Special Olympics New York, competition will be in the form of seven different sporting events includingbasketball, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming, plus tennis and track & field.

The event will kick off Thursday featuring 'A Night of Champions' to honor local game changers and raise funds to support the games from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, in the large pavilion ofStewart Park located at 1 James L Gibbs Drive in Ithaca.

Friday will feature the opening ceremonies from7 to 8:15 pm at the Quad Field of Ithaca College,953 Danby Road in Ithaca (opening ceremonies.)

Saturday is the main event day featuring the seven sport competitions. The Special Olympics New York schedule for the day is listed below:

9 am to 2 pm Track & Field atIthaca High School, 1401 North Cayuga Street in Ithaca (may be moved indoors)

9 am to 4 pm - Basketball & Swimming at theIthaca College A&E Center, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

2 to 4 pm Gymnastics at the Hill Center, Ithaca College, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

9:00 am to 4 pm - Powerlifting at theIthaca College Fitness Center, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

9:45 am to 3 pm - Tennis at theIthaca College Tennis Courts, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca (moved indoors)

10 am to 3 pm - Bowling atMidway Lanes, 213 North Jensen Road in Vestal

5:30 to 8:30 pm - Athlete Health Screeningsat the Campus Center ofIthaca College, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

7 to 8:30 pm - Closing Ceremonies and Dance Party at the Campus Center ofIthaca College, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

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2023 NYS Special Olympics Games This Weekend In Ithaca And Vestal - wnbf.com