Sport newsletter: Olympics edition
News, results and expert analysis from the Paris Olympics sent daily during the Games.
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A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
Live
Paris 2024
Lady Gaga, the can-can and a mystery hooded torch-bearer: Opening stuns by the Seine
Along the banks of the Seine you’ll find 12 stages, each with its own specific theme and collection of performers. Follow the action here.
Latest live posts
LoadingHow the Eiffel Tower became the world’s most spectacular stadium
From beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower to equestrian at Versailles, Paris 2024 will be staged at some of the world’s most famous landmarks. This is your ultimate guide to the Olympic venues.
The opening begins as Paris investigates rail sabotage
The high-speed network was targeted by vandals in a series of coordinated actions that brought major disruptions to some of the country’s busiest rail lines ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The hair that launched a photographic odyssey
Looking back, award-winning photographer Eddie Jim says it was Torrie Lewis’ hair. “I asked her if she could swing her head,” he said. It became the visage that launched, if not 1000 ships, a photographic odyssey.
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Hero to political toast: The achievement Harris should keep quiet about
Joe Biden unleashed a surge in spending that briefly slashed the childhood poverty rate in half. Even so, politicians just “can’t get no respect” for economic wins.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
‘They’re on fire for Kamala’: How Harris has upended the 2024 US campaign
In 36 hours Harris amassed $192 million in donations, 100,000 new volunteers and blew up the internet with endearing memes of the vice president.
Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris
The endorsement from two of the nation’s most popular Democrats comes as Harris continues to build momentum as the party’s likely nominee, replacing Joe Biden.
‘If Brighton and Daylesford had a baby’: The seaside cul de sac that could have been Melbourne’s CBD
It has no traffic lights and a “graceful, provincial” feel, but happy locals in this suburb still have a clear view of Melbourne’s skyscrapers.
‘Bulls–t virtue signalling’: Ex-chief prosecutor condemned for welcome to Country post
The OPP has condemned the comments of its former chief Crown prosecutor who said Indigenous people should be grateful they weren’t settled by the French.
Opinion
Housing affordability
How to solve Australia’s housing crisis
Governments have neglected their fundamental obligation to realise everyone’s human right to housing.
Kevin Bell
Former justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria
‘To a certain extent, I’ve been in denial’: Ray Martin on life’s great mystery
He climbed to the pinnacle of Australian TV journalism. What challenge was left? The ultimate one.
Tailgating a tailgater: should I follow my instincts?
Let’s cut to the chase, says our Modern Guru.
‘Going into politics has taught me I’ve got more courage than I thought’
Two years ago, she was a “shy”, reluctant pollie. Now Allegra Spender’s navigating the fallout from tragedies at home and abroad.
Set your alarms: These are the Olympic events you must not miss
With Paris eight hours behind most of us in Australia, it’s tough to know what to watch and when. Here’s a day-by-day guide to the events you can’t afford to miss.
Recipe collection
French
40 fantastique French recipes for the Paris Olympics (and beyond)
These classique recipes will see you through some early mornings with croque- monsieur toasties and crepes.
Guts, glory and gold medals: Jess Fox returns
As the days tick down until she hits the water, the catharsis and emotion from her first gold medal three years ago is still fresh in the reigning C1 champion’s mind.
Carlton’s identity crisis as Power surges past them for crucial top four win
Carlton has looked a premiership contender at times this season but has hit the skids as they struggle with injuries and whether they are a genuine flag threat.
Cyril Rioli and former teammates launch human rights case against Hawthorn
The club champion has lodged a human rights suit along with his wife and two former players in the federal court.
Sam Mitchell keeps a lid on ‘Showbiz Hawks’ as finals race nears climax
The hottest team in the league has surged into finals contention and the Hawthorn coach admits he’s finding it more challenging to handle the hype.
Analysis
Naked City
Forget the French firepower, Melbourne had two prankster mates
The Paris Games are protected by snipers and machine-gun-carrying cops. It’s a long way from the laidback efforts of 1956.
Chased out of Sydney, could Cathy Freeman’s great rival light the Olympic cauldron?
French president Emmannuel Macron fuelled speculation that Marie-Jose Perec could make an Olympic comeback 24 years after she caused an international storm by fleeing the Sydney Games.
Goggles, goals and Gucci: Why female Olympians are the new supermodels
Once, Australia’s female athletes were sponsored by breakfast cereals and milk drinks. Now they’re courted by the likes of Omega and Dior.
Why this champion will be a TV celebrity without swimming a lap in Paris
Australians are about to get to know Ellie Cole, Australia’s most decorated Paralympian.
Olympics hub
Your home of Olympics news & results
Full schedule
Live schedule of all events across the games
All results
Results for all events across the games
Weekend reads
‘Get down! Get out!’: Surviving Beirut’s 2020 blast
Four years ago, a port explosion pulverised Beirut. An Australian writer describes the shocking aftermath.
Can you find true love in Year 7? Absolutely, say Jess and Jade
They got together as teenagers, and in the decades since, Jess Lynne Jade have shared many milestones.
Victoria
Pay increase and a nine-day fortnight? Police say ‘no thanks’, while unhappy ambos escalate dispute
The state is facing twin industrial troubles with police and ambulance staff both demanding better offers in response to their pay demands.
Fight night linked to The Punisher cancelled after police raise safety concerns
A bout involving Sam Abdulrahim’s nephew has been called off after arsonists tried to torch the Thomastown venue in the lead up to the fight.
Breaking
Crime
Man charged with murder over disappearance of Adrian Romeo
The charge over the suspicious disappearance of 43-year-old Melbourne man Adrian Romeo in February follows the arrest of another man in relation to the case this week.
Exclusive
CBD
Officials pounce on mushroom discovery at Erin Patterson’s prison
Prison officials were sent into a flap and had to take immediate action after the discovery.
Exclusive
Education
The Victorian schools being sued over historical child sex abuse claims
A convicted murderer says being sexually abused as a schoolboy led him to a life of crime, as a wave of historical sex abuse claims hits hundreds of Victorian schools.
AFL 2024
AFL Briefing
Blues hit by another injury; Giant reprimanded over tribunal rant; Carlton breached concussion protocols
Carlton will be forced into at least three changes after an important midfielder was ruled out, while the AFL reprimanded a star Giant for a scathing assessment of the league’s crackdown on dangerous tackles.
Analysis
The run home: Where the contenders stand in the race for the AFL top eight
While the Swans appear to have top spot locked up, the race for the top eight is well and truly on as we head into the home stretch of the AFL season. Where will your team finish?
Politics
Australia, Canada and NZ call for a ceasefire to end ‘catastrophic human suffering’ in Gaza
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined with his New Zealand and Canada counterparts to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Business
Bolt’s ultimatum: I’ll quit if James Murdoch wins succession battle
The high-profile conservative columnist says he’ll walk if James Murdoch takes over News Corp.
World
Australians left stranded after massive fire destroys Bali hotel complex
Images captured by tourists and locals show Villa Amasya, in the heart of Seminyak, fully engulfed by flames leaping into the sky.
Opinion
The nickname Trump hopes will tarnish Harris
Bruce Wolpe
Senior fellow at the US Studies Centre and former political staffer
Messy power struggle gives ammunition to Pesutto’s enemies
Annika Smethurst
State Political Editor
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Property
‘Nuts to normal’: Popular Victorian towns where house prices fell most
House prices in coastal areas and alpine towns declined over the past year as second-home owners and investors offloaded their properties.
Melbourne house prices are increasing at the fastest pace in two years - here’s where they’ve jumped the most
Buyers have jumped at an unusual window of opportunity to purchase their first home or upgrade to a larger one.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Jackie Kennedy would have turned 95 this week. Who was the woman behind the photos?
And what is it that draws us back, again and again, to her story?
Culture
Why we need to talk about the Presumed Innocent finale
The TV adaptation of Scott Turow’s courtroom thriller ended with a twist you may or may not have seen coming.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Carlton’s identity crisis as Power surges past them for crucial top four win
Carlton has looked a premiership contender at times this season but has hit the skids as they struggle with injuries and whether they are a genuine flag threat.
Exclusive
Paris 2024
Swimming coach spared axe over helping Korean rival – months after he was told not to
An email obtained by this masthead reveals that Australian coaches, including Michael Palfrey, were warned four months ago about links to foreign athletes.
AFL teams and expert tips: Three big names back for the Bombers
See the selected teams as they’re announced for AFL round 20 and check out what the expert tipsters think. Essendon bring back the big names.
Webster in Paris
Paris 2024
‘You running a story on that?’ Kevin Durant bats away dumbest question
The hottest ticket in town on Thursday wasn’t a sporting event but the traditional pre-Olympics media opportunity with Team USA.
Updated
Paris 2024
The Matildas wanted a dream start to the Games. It was a 90-minute nightmare
Australia arrived in France with ambitions of a deep run into the Olympic tournament. Against Germany, it was the worst possible start.
Petracca clears major milestone in injury return as he straps on runners
The Melbourne superstar has been cleared to run for the first time since suffering the horrific injuries that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Set your alarms: These are the Olympic events you must not miss
With Paris eight hours behind most of us in Australia, it’s tough to know what to watch and when. Here’s a day-by-day guide to the events you can’t afford to miss.
Have Your Say
Why the AFL should stop Harry McKay from playing this Friday night
The fact that the Blues forward has been cleared to play this week, despite such visible signs of a head injury, underscores a shocking inconsistency in the AFL’s concussion guidelines.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
