The Scoop: Queensland Olympic heroes struggle to juggle multiple events on the same day
Many of Queensland’s Olympic swim champions were notably absent from the Olympic and Paralympic welcome home parade at South Bank. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP
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Many of Queensland’s Olympic swim champions were notably absent from the Olympic and Paralympic welcome home parade at South Bank on Saturday, with a clash of pre-existing commitments and tight schedules keeping them from the public celebration of their Paris 2024 triumphs.
Big names like Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan, Kaylee McKeown, and Emma McKeon were missing from the morning parade.
The reason for their absence? The prestigious Swimming Australia Awards, held later in the day at Howard Smith Wharves, left little room to attend both events.
The date for the awards had been locked in months before the public parade was scheduled, leaving the athletes with limited options.
Additionally, many swimmers had already resumed their intense post-Olympics training, with early morning sessions conflicting with the parade’s start time, further complicating their ability to make an appearance.
While some stars were no-shows, swimmers Lani Pallister and Alex Perkins juggled both commitments.
Pallister, who made it to the parade and rushed to the awards, arrived at the event just minutes before the official ceremonies began, panting and nursing calf pain after sprinting in heels from her hotel to the riverside venue.
Despite the frantic day, Pallister posed effortlessly on the red carpet alongside her mother, continuing to make a name for herself as a budding style icon outside the swimming pool.
Following the awards, the athletes weren’t done yet.
Many were set to attend the Premier’s Olympic and Paralympic welcome home dinner at the Royal International Convention Centre, marking a jam-packed day of celebrations.
“Some guys also did the welcome home parade this morning. So I’ve personally been up since 5.30am driving from the Gold Coast,” McKeown said.
PACKED EMERALD CARPET
Brisbane’s elite stepped out in full force on Saturday night for the star-studded opening of Wicked (pictured) at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre. Leading the VIP charge down the emerald-hued walkway was Australia Zoo matriarch Terri Irwin, as she joined a who’s who of Brisbane’s A-list for an evening of theatrical magic.
Fresh from her appearance at the 2024 Swimming Australia Awards, Olympian Cate and Bronte Campbell made waves at the event, with Bronte opting to attend the premiere over attending the Premier’s Olympic and Paralympic welcome home dinner.
Joining her were fellow athletes Belle Dawes and Gabi Simpson. Beloved author Trent Dalton, fresh from the success of his Love Stories adaptation, also made an appearance.
BRINGING BACK THE BEEF
He’s had his own cooking segment, has eaten so much steak he’s been inducted into one of Brisbane’s most elite culinary clubs, and knows his way around a barbie.
Now former NRL star Sam Thaiday is hoping to put that experience to good use as a beef ambassador.
The ex-Brisbane Bronco revealed to Sunday Scoop he is hoping to work with marketing and research development firm Meat & Livestock Australia as an advocate for Aussies to eat more beef.
The State of Origin superstar has already been a beef ambassador for the group once, starring in a commercial alongside Australia’s face of lamb, Sam Kekovich. The campaign was such a hit Thaiday is now hoping it can become a regular gig alongside his work with kids charity The Starlight Foundation.
WHY THE LONG FACE? IT’S OZEMPIC
Ozempic face syndrome is forcing Queenslanders to flock to clinics of a different kind.
The phenomenon is often known as “horse face” as people who have taken the medication and experienced rapid weight loss often end up with long, hollow faces, sagging skin and sunken eyes. Doctors say that while people are loving their new slim bodies they are not so happy with what the drug has done to their faces.
Ozempic has been approved by the TGA specifically for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
It has not yet been approved for weight loss in Australia.
Rapid weight loss can cause the skin to lose elasticity, as it may not have enough time to adjust to the smaller facial contours, resulting in sagging or loose skin. This reduction in facial volume, combined with skin laxity, can lead to an older appearance, as a fuller face is often associated with a more youthful look.
Significant weight loss can alter the natural contours of the face, making cheekbones, jawlines and other facial features more pronounced but often in an undesired way.
There are treatments designed to restore volume to the cheek area, helping to enhance facial contours. A popular option involves the use of hyaluronic acid.
WEDDING BELLS JUST SWELL
Gold Coast glamour sporting couple Georgia Miller and Riley Fitzsimmons are preparing to tie the knot to cap a whirlwind year.
Fitzsimmons won a silver in kayaking at the Paris Olympics, while Miller was runner-up in both the Nutri-Grain Series and Australian championships.
The pair (pictured) both competed for powerhouse surf club BMD Northcliffe in last week’s World Life Saving Championships on the Goldy and came away with a swag of medals. They are to marry at a mate’s winery next month. Fitzsimmons was given a year’s supply of Coastal Stone blended whisky for his exploits in the K4 500m. Manly Spirits Co gave the grog to any Aussie who could “crush a Canadian”.
QLD SURF LIFESAVERS GETS NEW SPONSOR
Queensland surf lifesavers will be sporting the name of a new major sponsor on their iconic red and yellow uniforms when the 2024-25 season patrols kick off this weekend.
Outdoor retailer Anaconda has partnered with Surf Life Saving Queensland to sponsor the 34,000-strong volunteer army that aims to keep Queensland’s beaches fatality-free.
The company replaces fuel giant Ampol as the movement’s major backer.
As part of the three-year deal, Anaconda will sell an exclusive range of surf life saving branded water and beach products.
HEMSY HORSING AROUND ON BUCK’S PARTY
Chris Hemsworth made a surprise appearance at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday during Member Rewards Day. The 41-year-old star was reportedly attending a buck’s party for his personal trainer and longtime friend, Luke Zocchi, who had a race named in his honour – the Luke Loves Maria Class 3 Plate. Hemsworth and his entourage enjoyed the day in a private area, away from the public eye. But he couldn’t resist mingling when he took a moment to congratulate young jockey, Courtney Bellamy, who secured her first Saturday win at Eagle Farm.
Bellamy, 21, was reportedly starstruck as she posed next to the 190cm heart-throb in the winning enclosure.
Hemsworth was this week in Sydney for the premiere of Transformers One, where he voices Optimus Prime.
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