It’s Wednesday evening.

Every sport has its GOATs - and there’s always heated debate as to who gets the title. For basketball, it’s Michael Jordan. You can’t deny Sir Donald Bradman the cricketing crown. Tiger Woods has a claim in golf, Usain Bolt on the track, Billie Jean King or Serena Williams in tennis. In the pool, Emma McKeon is Australia’s most successful Olympic swimmer - but Kaylee McKeown might be coming for the title (keep reading for more swimming news).

In the dog-eat-dog (get it?) world of competitive eating, there is one champion who stands alone: Joey Chestnut, who is still the world record-holder for most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes — a whopping 76. Including the buns.

But now, the New York Post reports Chestnut has been kicked out of the competition where he made his name… for signing a brand deal with a vegan hot dog company.

Nathan’s, the U.S. hot dog company that has run the prestigious (I’m serious) eating contest for over a century, has officially cut ties with Chestnut over the deal.

Sounds like they’ve got beef (sorry, these jokes are the Wurst). I mustard-mit, he’s still a Weiner in my eyes.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

6
The number of months para-swimmer Alexa Leary spent in hospital after a cycling accident in 2021. Last night, at the Australian Swimming trials, she won the S9 50m freestyle race in 27.89 seconds, which is below the qualifying time of 28.27. The Paralympic team announcement will be at 9:24pm on Friday night.

Quote of the day

"I'm a little bit disappointed." 
Kaylee McKeown after she won the 100m backstroke at the Australian Swimming Trials, but was 0.08 seconds shy of breaking her own world record. McKeown has swum nine of the 10 fastest women’s times ever in the 100m backstroke. She will travel to Paris as a world record holder and medal favourite in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke.

Random fact of the day

What percentage of points do you think Roger Federer, 20-time Grand Slam champion, won during his career? 

The answer is 54%. Federer reflected on this statistic during a commencement speech he gave at US college Dartmouth over the weekend. He said: “Perfection is impossible... When you lose every second point on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot.”

I’ve got 1 minute

The Melbourne Demons have been criticised for allowing star player Christian Petracca to play on with severe injuries in Monday's clash against Collingwood. The decision has raised questions around player safety and AFL clubs’ duty of care for their players.

What happened?

Petracca left the field in the first quarter after Darcy Moore’s knee collided with his side. He returned to the field and was subbed off shortly after half time and taken to hospital in an ambulance. Petracca broke four ribs, and sustained a lacerated spleen and a punctured lung.

What they said:

Before the extent of Petracca’s injuries were revealed, football commentator David King said: “Don’t tell me the welfare of the player is paramount and the only decision above all others… I just think it’s a poor decision. It’s not a medical decision.”

Petracca defended Melbourne medical staff, however, saying: “I’m responsible for putting myself out there by the way for people talking about the medicos.”

An AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said: “The AFL chief medical officer has spoken to Melbourne’s doctors in relation to their management of Petracca yesterday. The AFL is comfortable with the processes Melbourne adopted.” 

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I’ve got 2 minutes

In case you missed it, WNBA star Caitlin Clark was not selected for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team. 

The U.S. team will still enter this year’s Olympic tournament as favourites to win, having won gold in basketball at every Olympic Games since Atlanta 1996. However, Clark’s omission is controversial because of the tangible impact she has had on women’s basketball both during her college career and through her first season in the WNBA this year.

Many argue that even if Clark is not a better basketball player than those selected, U.S. Basketball is still missing out on a huge opportunity to attract viewers to women’s basketball on the global stage at Paris 2024.

What they said:

Jennifer Rizzotti, the U.S. basketball women’s team committee chair, said: “Obviously, we know the success that Caitlin had in college, and she’s had a tremendous start to the WNBA season so far… But essentially it was the committee’s job to pick the 12 based on our selection criteria.

Clark responded to the selection, saying: “I think it gives you something to work for, you know, it’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there, and I think it’s just a little more motivation.”

Clark’s Impact

2024 is Clark’s first season in the WNBA and it would be difficult to deny that her presence, alongside fellow college athlete-turned-rookie Angel Reese, has elevated the league’s status in the U.S.

Merchandise sales are up 236% from 2023 and Clark’s jersey is the best seller. WNBA arenas have been filled to 94% capacity (17% more than 2023) and TV viewership has nearly tripled with an average of 1.32 million viewers per game.

Clark initially captured national and global attention during her stellar college basketball career where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and led the Iowa Hawkeyes to two national championship finals.

Clark joined the WNBA in the 2024 draft with Reese and another exciting star, Cameron Brink. Their jerseys are in the top five selling WNBA merchandise items.

The Opals at the Olympics

The extended Australian Women’s Basketball squad for Paris was announced in March, with the final lineup still to be locked in. They will begin the Olympic tournament in Pool B with Canada, Nigeria and host nation France.

How to watch

The WNBA is currently in season and can be streamed on Kayo.

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In Conversation with Deakin University Elite Athlete, Kate Eddy:

Kate Eddy is a professional Netballer with the Melbourne Vixens and 2020 Premiership winner. Kate is also studying a Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University so she can become a Health and PE Teacher.

What’s your sporting schedule like?

In the [on] season we do two court sessions, two gym sessions and then we have a lighter session the day before the game, as well as a recovery day and lots of meetings to watch footage. We [also] travel to play every team once a season, so we have six away trips in the home and away season.

What is one of the hardest aspects of studying and being an elite athlete?

Definitely having the energy to study with such a physically demanding career after training. You are mentally and physically exhausted so it makes it hard to find motivation and energy to study.

What appealed to you most about the Deakin Elite Athlete Program and how has it helped you?

The ability to talk to someone and have support was the biggest thing. Also being able to have a point of contact to talk to in terms of how to approach certain situations.

Think Beyond The Field. Study sport at Deakin.

Looking back…

Looking forward…

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