Australian swimmer O'Callaghan reveals she has spinal fractures / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
-
'The Odyssey': Christopher Nolan's latest cultural phenomenon
-
US Federal Reserve expected to hold rates steady as inflation swirls
-
'Star Trek' celebrates 60th anniversary at Comic-Con
-
Merz vows justice after deadly car ramming near Berlin Gay Pride event
-
Merz vows justice after deadly car attack near Berlin Gay Pride event
-
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
-
Merz vows justice after deadly car attack near Berlin Pride event
-
Ohtani delays throwing session over knee 'regression'
-
Hiltz extends US 1,500 streak, Lyles advances in 200
-
One killed, 15 wounded as car hits crowd near Berlin Gay Pride
-
'Difficult night' as France, Spain fires intensify again
-
Hodge, Hope give West Indies edge in rain-impacted Pakistan Test
-
Beaten Ramsay-Peaty casts doubt on future as Australia rule Commonwealth pool
-
Scheffler surges at 3M Open with blistering back nine
-
Ramsay-Peaty beaten into bronze as Australia's Williamson wins Commonwealth gold
-
Brazil's right-wing party nominates Bolsonaro son to battle Lula
-
Kazakh leader tells Putin war should end, Ukraine launches fresh strikes
-
Norris back on pole at Hungarian GP as rivals handed penalties
-
Madeleine McCann's brother targets Olympic dream after Commonwealth final
-
Close to Madrid, those who escaped flames worry what is next
-
Hamilton, Antonelli stung by grid penalties at Hungarian GP
-
Messi can skip All-Star Game after grueling World Cup, says MLS
-
Scotland declares 'major' wildfire in Cairngorms national park
-
Hamilton stung by three-place grid penalty
-
Spain fights to 'save lives' as wildfire evacuees shelter in Madrid
-
Howe uncertain if Guimaraes will stay with Newcastle amid Arsenal interest
-
Palestinians bury four killed in West Bank clash with Israeli settlers
-
Varane concussions motivate Como to ban heading in academy teams
-
49ers coach Shanahan injured in car crash
-
'Amazing' Pogacar-Del Toro friendship lights up Tour de France
-
China evacuates 340,000 people as Typhoon Noul approaches
-
Crisis-hit Flavio Bolsonaro launches presidential candidacy in Brazil
-
Norris back on pole for Mercedes at Hungarian GP
-
As wildfires grip France and Spain, what are the risks from the smoke?
-
Ukraine strikes Siberia refinery as Kazakh leader tells Putin war should end
-
Pogacar set to win Tour de France, Carapaz claims Queen stage
-
Kishan, Varma hit half centuries as India win Zimbabwe T20 series
-
India's education minister resigns, end called to Delhi protests
-
Houthis target Saudi oil as new Middle East front
-
Devastating wildfires send 267,000 fleeing in France and Spain
-
Madeleine McCann's brother reaches Commonwealth Games final
-
Ipswich sign Japan forward Maeda from Celtic
-
Thousands sheltered in Bordeaux as France wildfires trigger exodus
-
Norris finds pace to edge Hamilton in last Hungarian practice
-
Houthis say hit Saudi Arabia as fighting spreads on new Middle East front
-
China evacuates 20,000 people as Typhoon Noul nears
-
Untamed wildfires in Spain, France force over 200,000 to flee
-
Man City's Khusanov signs new five-year contract
-
Spain fights to 'save lives' as wildfires rage near Madrid
-
Atletico complete Lee signing from PSG
Australian swimmer O'Callaghan reveals she has spinal fractures
Australian Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan said Wednesday she had been told to "stop swimming immediately" last month because of spinal stress fractures, but has been cleared to race at next week's Commonwealth Games.
O'Callaghan, the reigning Olympic 200m freestyle champion, revealed her anguish in the run-up to the games in Glasgow, which begin on July 23, and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in California in August.
"Last month I was told I wouldn't be able to compete at Trials, the Commonwealth Games or Pan Pacs. I was also told to stop swimming immediately," the 22-year-old posted on Instagram.
"It was a moment that reinforced just how much representing Australia means to me and how badly I want to be part of this team."
Scans showed stress fractures and bone oedema on her lumbar spine, O'Callaghan said, and her team sought advice from a spinal specialist.
After "further assessment" following the swimming trials, O'Callaghan said she was given the green light to compete at the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific championships.
O'Callaghan is entered in three individual events in Glasgow -- the 100m and 200m freestyle, and 50m backstroke -- and several women's and mixed relays, but she hinted her schedule could change.
"Things might look a little different for me at the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs but I'll give everything I have and do my absolute best every time I race," she said.
O'Callaghan's health revelations came a day after fellow Australian swimmer Shayna Jack announced she will retire from competition after the Commonwealth Games.
"I'm ready to announce my retirement and be Shayna Jack," she said in an emotional video recalling how "life blew up for me in 2019".
With the 2020 Games in her sights, her world came crashing down after testing positive for the muscle growth agent ligandrol in an out-of-competition test in June 2019.
She was banned for four years despite proclaiming her innocence, insisting the substance entered her system by contamination.
"I want to go out there, head held high, proud of who I am, proud of who I am representing and proud of what I am saying goodbye to," Jack said.
S.Caetano--PC