Good morning!

The Euros look fun, but one England fan took things to the next level.

"I've just woken up. It's four o'clock in the morning" was how the fan described the state of affairs in a viral video. Turns out he had fallen asleep in the stands after watching England beat Serbia, waking 5 hours later.

There's plenty of skepticism in the comments section of the video, with many questioning why security wouldn't have discovered the sleeping Briton. Others commented that "It looked that boring on TV too". I'd say it was probably the beers, not the boredom - but each to their own.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

6
The number of UEFA Euro Championship tournaments Cristiano Ronaldo, who is now 39-years-old, has played in. Last night, Ronaldo took to the field for Portugal against the Czech Republic. Portugal won the match 2-1 with Francisco Conceição (18 years younger than Ronaldo) scoring the winning goal.

Quote of the day

"I've always been that person who has copped it. It's great to go out knowing I'm not going to cop it any more." 
Australian cricketer David Warner in an interview reflecting on his legacy after the 2018 ball-tampering incident in Cape Town, South Africa. Warner has confirmed that the T20 World Cup this year will be his last appearance in international cricket.

Random fact of the day

Since the first modern Olympics in 1896, only Greece and Australia have participated in every Games.

I’ve got 1 minute

As the Australian swimming trials ended last week, the U.S. swimming trials are just beginning.  

In a football stadium turned into a swimming venue in Indiana, U.S. team hopefuls have demonstrated some fine form. They’re looking to eclipse the Aussie Dolphins in the medal tally again in Paris.

World Records

22-year-old Regan Smith set a new world record of 57.13 in the 100m backstroke, beating the previous world record of 57.33 set by Australia’s own Kaylee McKeown. McKeown is the reigning Olympic champion in the event, while Smith won bronze as a 19-year old in Tokyo. At the Australian swimming trials last week, McKeown swam 57.41. 

Gretchen Walsh also set a new world record in the 100m butterfly semi-final on Saturday. She will race our most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon in Paris. McKeon swam 56.85 in the 100m butterfly last week at the Australian trials.

Ledecky in form

Ariarne Titmus’ rival Katie Ledecky has demonstrated strong form at the trials, having already won the 200m and 400m freestyle this week. Ledecky’s strongest events, the 800m and 1500m freestyle, are yet to come. The 200m freestyle isn’t Ledecky’s strongest event, so it’s unlikely she’ll race it in Paris, but she’ll face Titmus in the 400m and 800m freestyle. 

U.S. Paralympic Trials

The U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials will take place from 27 June to 29 June.

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I’ve got 2 minutes

It’s been a big week in the AFL, so let’s catch up on all the news.

Six players inducted into Hall of Fame

Six of the AFL’s greatest players, including Brownlow Medallists* Dane Swan (2011) and Kelvin Templeton (1980), were inducted into the AFL’s Hall of Fame last night.

The ceremony also saw Hawthorn’s four-time premiership winner Jason Dunstall elevated from the Hall of Fame to Legend status. Dunstall is the 3rd highest goalscorer ever in the AFL, having kicked 1254 goals in 269 games.

*Awarded to the best and fairest player in the AFL annually, recognised as the league’s most prestigious award.

Hall of Fame eligibility adjusted for AFLW players

On the same night, the AFL Hall of Fame announced it has adjusted the eligibility rule for AFLW players to be inducted. AFLW players are now eligible for induction after one year of retirement. Previously, players could only be inducted after five years.

Debbie Lee, who played more than 300 games in the Victorian Women’s Football League, remains the only woman in the AFL Hall of Fame.

Salary cap relief for clubs

The AFL also announced this week that it would offer “salary cap relief” to clubs who have players forced to medically retire mid-contract due to issues with concussion.

The announcement comes amongst rising concern regarding the impacts of concussion in contact sport and a growing list of players retiring. Three high-profile players, Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy and Bulldogs' Aiden O’Driscoll have all retired this year due to ongoing concussion concerns.

The financial support will only be offered for up to three years after the player retires, making contracts that are four years or longer riskier for clubs. There are currently at least 25 players in the AFL with contracts that extend to 2029 or longer.

What is a salary cap?

A salary cap is the maximum amount of money a club can spend on player salaries. The salary cap for AFL clubs in 2024 is $15,788,222.

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Deakin Research: Addressing Online Harm in Australian Women’s Sport

Did you know? 9 in 10 elite sports women have experienced some form of gendered online harm.

A Deakin University study has exposed how common cyberbullying directed at Australia’s top female athletes is, with 85% of those surveyed sharing that the abuse has negatively impacted their wellbeing.

‘These results should sound alarm bells at all Australian sport organisations,’ said Research Lead, Dr Caitlin McGrane of Deakin’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

‘We found 87% of elite sportswomen experienced gendered online harm within the past year, with many the subject of personal insults, hate speech and purposeful attempts to embarrass them. Half experienced harassment and almost 40% were sexually harassed.’

A total of 138 elite, professional and semi-professional sports women from 32 sports were surveyed, exploring the patterns of athlete social media use, the prevalence and type of online harm they experienced, the impact of that harm and their experiences reporting and dealing with abuse.

Read more here.

Looking back…

Looking forward…

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