Commonwealth Games marathon win brings out the trolls
COMMONWEALTH Games marathon champion Michael Shelley has been left devastated by a torrent of abuse over his controversial win.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HE SHOULD be bathing in the glow of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games glory.
But marathon champion Michael Shelley is devastated after enduring a torrent of abuse over his controversial win, which saw him stride past stricken Scotsman Callum Hawkins as he lay collapsed on the road.
Shelley has been targeted by online trolls for his “heartless” failure to stop and help Hawkins, who was leading the gruelling race until his sickening collapse less than 2km from the finish line.
Sources close to Shelley say the Gold Coaster is so shattered he regards his gold medal as being tarnished by his failure to stop and help Hawkins.
Shelley looked to be on the verge of tears yesterday at a thank-you party for Games volunteers, where he was comforted by well-wishers including Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
“It is what it is,” he told The Sunday Mail when asked about the abuse he had copped.
“It’s been a tough week.”
Shelley said he believed Hawkins, who stumbled and crashed into a road barrier on the Sundale Bridge as his legs dramatically gave way, was being tended to by a volunteer.
“I was struggling myself when I got to the finish line,” Shelley said.
“It was just what happened. I saw the volunteer beside him and I didn’t see any lead-up. I just saw that he was getting help.”
Shelley said he reached out to Hawkins after his release from Gold Coast University Hospital last Monday.
“He’s doing OK,” he said.
“I just told him I hope he’s better soon and wished him all the best.”
Games chairman Peter Beattie said Shelley was a great Australian who deserved his gold medal.
“Anyone who is giving him flak should back off and leave him alone,” Mr Beattie said.
“He’s a very decent and sensitive guy, and there’s no doubt he’s been hurt by the criticism, which is totally unwarranted.
“Of course everyone was concerned for the Scot’s welfare, but he said ‘no’ to assistance on a couple of occasions because if he’d taken it, he would have been disqualified.”
Games organisers were forced to defend the lengthy delay in getting help for Hawkins, with critics including BBC commentator Steve Cram labelling it a disgrace.
Shelley appeared to become emotional as he was mobbed by Games volunteers and their families, and congratulated by the Governor-General at the party at the Southport Broadwater Parklands.
Originally published as Commonwealth Games marathon win brings out the trolls
Push to change name of famous landmark
FIRST it was Burleigh Heads and Brisbane, now another world-famous Queensland place has been earmarked for a return to its Aboriginal name – but unlike the controversy around the others, indigenous leaders say it’s a no-brainer.
Inflatable Migaloo’s fate revealed
IT STOLE the show at the controversial Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, but it’s been MIA ever since. Now, the Premier has announced that the giant, floating white whale that captured headlines around the world will fly again.