hacklink hack forum hacklink film izle hacklink marsbahis izmir escort sahabet porn Jojobet

Tag: Sydney

Coles stores brace for chaos as The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli hands out $150,000 worth of groceries to Sydney shoppers for free

Adrian Portelli is set to cause chaos as he takes his grocery giveaway to Sydney.

The Melbourne billionaire, famously known as ‘Mr Lambo,’ surprised Coles shoppers in Adelaide by distributing gift vouchers valued at hundreds of dollars last month.

He has continued running the giveaway in further cities, hitting Tasmania where long lines of hopeful shoppers showed up hoping for the handouts.

The entrepreneur handed out $150,000 worth of Coles vouchers to 1,000 families after he put up a social media post announcing his location.

He will next head to Coles locations in Sydney on Tuesday, with the stores ready for the deluge.

‘Our team member and customer safety is our priority during this generous giveaway, so we have engaged additional security to ensure any queue for gift cards will be properly managed,’ a Coles spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph.

Adrian Portelli (pictured) is set to cause chaos as he takes his grocery giveaway to Sydney . The Melbourne billionaire, famously known as ‘Lambo Guy,’ surprised Coles shoppers in Adelaide by distributing gift vouchers valued at hundreds of dollars last month

Hundreds of people have queued up at the stores to see him and those who were lucky enough scored a voucher worth $100 or $200 from Portelli.

‘It just shows how desperate people are in these times and we’re happy to help,’ he said last month.

‘A lot of these people have supported me over the year so it’s time to give back.’

He is the founder of the LCMT+ online company that frequently gives away huge cash prizes and luxury cars as well as providing its members discounted products with retailers.

The car enthusiast made international headlines when he had a rare $3million McClaren craned up to his $39million Melbourne penthouse in May last year.

He is also a regular on The Block, snapping up homes during the auction.

In 2022, he offered $4.8m for Omar and Oz’s home in Gisborne South during final bidding on The Block.

‘I was fairly low key back then so no one really knew what I was worth or what money I had,’ he said.

He has continued running the giveaway in further cities, hitting Tasmania where long lines of hopeful shoppers showed up hoping for the handouts (pictured)

‘It just shows how desperate people are in these times and we’re happy to help,’ he said last month. ‘A lot of these people have supported me over the year so it’s time to give back’

‘People thought I couldn’t afford the house – obviously I knew I could buy all the houses.’

Portelli grew up in Melbourne’s western suburbs and made his fortune through tech start-ups.

He has a diverse business portfolio reportedly worth $1billion, and now turns over about $100million a year, or $2million a week.

The notorious Block bidder, 35, splashed out a staggering $39million for his Melbourne property which is the heart of the CBD in a new twin tower development.

He is currently spending $6million on modifying and customising the 1200sqm sky home.

The businessman told realestate.com.au he decided to buy the apartment the same day he saw it because of ‘the security’ and it being a ‘blank canvas’.

He also admitted that a selling point was the penthouse’s direct link to the second tower, which will house a five-star Shangri-La hotel.

The hotel includes a bar with a see-though floor that features a bridge linking the two towers at a high level.

‘I’ve got a lift from my apartment that goes directly to the bar,’ Portelli said.

Portelli, known for his high spending and lavish lifestyle, shares his ten-month-old son, Mercy, with girlfriend Karlie Butler.

The unique name pays homage to one of the first luxury cars Portelli purchased – a rare orange Lamborghini Murcielago valued at over $700,000.

Portelli and Butler have been together for more than a year, having met at a bar.

Source link

December 2, 2024
Kerry Chikarovski’s son’s lavish Sydney lifestyle revealed before downfall

After his arrest, Chikarovski agreed to forfeit $1.44 million to the Crime Commission in place of the assets it had previously confiscated.

Chikarovski also fitted the profile of the typical dark web vendor busted by the cybercrime squad.

“They’re normally a fairly educated and intelligent person who has never come across the radar of police before. They obviously have a technical proficiency,” Smith said.

Lavish lifestyle… Chikarovski and his wife Hannah drove matching Porsche Cayennes.Credit: NSW Police.

Chikarovski had been selling mass quantities of cocaine, MDMA, crystal methylamphetamine and prescription drugs on the dark web since 2017, Smith said.

“We could tell from the activity in the comments … that they were doing a considerable amount of business. What we can see from looking at activity on the dark net is that this particular vendor had been active for a number of years on Abacus Market, the Incognito Market and others.”

Chikarovski was the only person arrested by the task force, who say he was running a one-stop drug supply shop, packing orders himself then posting a huge volume of small orders from post offices across Sydney’s east.

Chikarovski was arrested at the Bondi Junction apartment.Credit: NSW Police

“It was a very labour-intensive operation, which exposes you to risk. At some point you have to go hands-on with drugs, that’s a real point of vulnerability,” Smith said.

Agreed facts say that from February 6, 2023, until his arrest on May 18 that year, Chikarovski supplied or possessed for the purposes of supply 209.06 grams of MDMA, 167.4 grams of cocaine, 44.05 grams of meth, 135.38 grams of ketamine, and 300 tablets of dexamphetamine.

Mark Chikarovski as a child at home with his mother Kerry in 1991 when she was the member for Lane Cove. Credit: Troy Howe

After police came to suspect Chikarovski was AusCokeKing, an undercover officer became a customer, using cryptocurrency to pay for 18 different orders including “premium European imported MDMA” and “limited time only” imported meth.

“We established this person was not just dealing with one commodity, there were multiple types of drugs being sold, which pose a real risk to the community,” Smith said.

Police are still in the dark about where Chikarovski sourced his drugs from, but believe it was most likely a local organised crime connection because of the volumes being sold.

His arrest came despite his adherence to the principles of the so-called “dark net bible”, which include encrypted communications, cryptocurrency, servers routed all over the world and glove usage to avoid a forensic trace.

Loading

“You can use all the technical anonymising techniques in the world, but at some point, you’re going to have to get your hands on some drugs,” Smith said.

“It goes to show that all the protections in the world don’t actually protect you from the long arm of the law. We are certainly determined to let people know that we do police the dark net and if you are on there you still are very much at risk of being arrested.”

Chikarovski is expected to be sentenced on Friday.

Kerry Chikarovski was contacted for comment.

Source link

October 31, 2024
Kerry Chikarovski’s son’s lavish Sydney lifestyle revealed before downfall

After his arrest, Chikarovski agreed to forfeit $1.44 million to the Crime Commission in place of the assets it had previously confiscated.

Chikarovski also fitted the profile of the typical dark web vendor busted by the cybercrime squad.

“They’re normally a fairly educated and intelligent person who has never come across the radar of police before. They obviously have a technical proficiency,” Smith said.

Lavish lifestyle… Chikarovski and his wife Hannah drove matching Porsche Cayennes.Credit: NSW Police.

Chikarovski had been selling mass quantities of cocaine, MDMA, crystal methylamphetamine and prescription drugs on the dark web since 2017, Smith said.

“We could tell from the activity in the comments … that they were doing a considerable amount of business. What we can see from looking at activity on the dark net is that this particular vendor had been active for a number of years on Abacus Market, the Incognito Market and others.”

Chikarovski was the only person arrested by the task force, who say he was running a one-stop drug supply shop, packing orders himself then posting a huge volume of small orders from post offices across Sydney’s east.

Chikarovski was arrested at the Bondi Junction apartment.Credit: NSW Police

“It was a very labour-intensive operation, which exposes you to risk. At some point you have to go hands-on with drugs, that’s a real point of vulnerability,” Smith said.

Agreed facts say that from February 6, 2023, until his arrest on May 18 that year, Chikarovski supplied or possessed for the purposes of supply 209.06 grams of MDMA, 167.4 grams of cocaine, 44.05 grams of meth, 135.38 grams of ketamine, and 300 tablets of dexamphetamine.

Mark Chikarovski as a child at home with his mother Kerry in 1991 when she was the member for Lane Cove. Credit: Troy Howe

After police came to suspect Chikarovski was AusCokeKing, an undercover officer became a customer, using cryptocurrency to pay for 18 different orders including “premium European imported MDMA” and “limited time only” imported meth.

“We established this person was not just dealing with one commodity, there were multiple types of drugs being sold, which pose a real risk to the community,” Smith said.

Police are still in the dark about where Chikarovski sourced his drugs from, but believe it was most likely a local organised crime connection because of the volumes being sold.

His arrest came despite his adherence to the principles of the so-called “dark net bible”, which include encrypted communications, cryptocurrency, servers routed all over the world and glove usage to avoid a forensic trace.

Loading

“You can use all the technical anonymising techniques in the world, but at some point, you’re going to have to get your hands on some drugs,” Smith said.

“It goes to show that all the protections in the world don’t actually protect you from the long arm of the law. We are certainly determined to let people know that we do police the dark net and if you are on there you still are very much at risk of being arrested.”

Chikarovski is expected to be sentenced on Friday.

Kerry Chikarovski was contacted for comment.

Source link

October 31, 2024
Travis Scott enjoys a luxe night out on Sydney Harbour with some scantily clad female friends and a mystery woman who goes to extreme lengths to hide her identity

Travis Scott enjoyed a luxe night out on Sydney Harbour on Sunday night.

The 33-year-old US rapper, who is currently on his Circus Maximus tour in Australia, was spotted disembarking from the Seven Star super-yacht after enjoying a lavish boat party in the Emerald City.

The Sicko Mode hitmaker attempted to go incognito in a washed-out khaki zip-up hoodie paired with baggy jeans.

He added a chunky belt to his look, along with a silver watch and bracelet, and opted to hide his famous face behind designer sunglasses.

Travis, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, was joined by an entourage of stunning ladies – and a mystery woman who went to great lengths to conceal her identity.

Travis’ female guests opted for figure-hugging outfits on the night that flaunted their eye-popping curves.

One guest could barely contain her ample assets in a green ensemble that was perilously held together by strands of fabric and a prayer.

Another guest stunned in a daring red catsuit, while one more turned heads in a gold number with criss-cross detailing at the waist, and a low cut bust.

Travis Scott enjoyed a luxe night out on Sydney Harbour on Sunday night. Pictured

The 33-year-old US rapper, who is currently on his Circus Maximus tour in Australia, was spotted disembarking from the Seven Star super-yacht after enjoying a lavish boat party in the Emerald City

The Sicko Mode hitmaker attempted to go incognito in a washed-out khaki zip-up hoodie paired with baggy jeans. He added a chunky belt to his look, along with a silver watch and bracelet, and opted to hide his famous face behind designer sunglasses

Travis, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, was joined by an entourage of stunning ladies – and a mystery woman who went to great lengths to conceal her identity (pictured left)

However, all eyes were on the mystery woman who did everything possible to remain unidentifiable.

The top secret guest opted to cover her head and shoulders with a blanket – and her eyes with sunglasses – as she scurried off the super-yacht.

She made sure her figure was on display in a body-hugging dress adorned with a print in shades of red, yellow and black, with a hint of blue.

She opted to boost her height with chunky red Converse Chuck Taylors.

Once she made it to land, she rushed to an awaiting vehicle desperately clutching the fluffy throw where she was met with someone from Travis’ entourage.

She then disappeared into the night.

Travis touched down in Sydney via private jet on Thursday, just hours before his sold-out gig later that evening.

Travis’ female guests opted for figure-hugging outfits on the night that flaunted their eye-popping curves. One guest could barely contain her ample assets in a green ensemble that was perilously held together by strands of fabric and a prayer (pictured right)

Another guest stunned in a daring red catsuit (right), while one more turned heads in a gold number with crisscross detailing at the waist, and a low cut bust (left)

However, all eyes were on one mystery woman went to great lengths to conceal her identity as she exited the luxury boat (pictured)

The top secret guest opted to cover her head and shoulders with a blanket – and her eyes with sunglasses – as she scurried off the super-yacht into an awaiting car

She rushed to the vehicle desperately clutching the fluffy throw where she was met with someone from Travis’ entourage

The rapper and his genetically blessed guests partied on the Seven Star super-yacht. Pictured

The singer touched down in Sydney via private jet on Thursday, just hours before his sold-out gig later that evening

Travis is expected to spend some time in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for a show at the Marvel Stadium on October 22

He will then wrap things up on October 26 with his final Australian show at Brisbane ‘s Suncorp Stadium

More than 40,000 fans were in attendance at the first stop on his Australian tour at Allianz Stadium.

Travis is expected to spend some time in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for a show at the Marvel Stadium on October 22.

He will then wrap things up on October 26 with his final Australian show at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Travis, who is the ex of Kylie Jenner, left some Aussies unimpressed when he revealed his list of concerts Down Under on his Circus Maximus world tour.

After revealing he would only be visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand, many fans were left fuming at having to travel to see him live.

Fans in Perth and Adelaide in particular were left disgruntled after he became the latest in a long line of global stars to skip over the Aussie cities on their tours.

‘What about Perth?’ one fan messaged the performer, while another added: ‘Typical [that] Perth gets left out.’

The US leg of Travis’ Circus Maximus World Tour has already earned the performer an eye-watering $27million, according to Perth Now.

Travis is not the first to skip over the WA capital while visiting Australia after Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift both failed to perform there.

The Jonas Brothers, Sam Smith and Charlie Puth also all left Perth fans out in the cold as they were forced to travel to the east coast to see them perform live.

Dua Lipa has also been hit by backlash in recent weeks for skipping over Brisbane and Perth on her upcoming 2025 tour.

Source link

October 21, 2024
The western Sydney basketball team producing African Olympians

Diing Deng’s face lights up when he’s asked about South Sudan’s first Olympic basketball appearance.

The 15-year-old’s family home in western Sydney was the place to be when the East African country’s national side, which played its first international game seven years ago, took to the court in Paris. His mother, born in South Sudan, welcomed anyone wanting to catch the action into their house during the Olympics.

News of the viewing parties quickly spread across the South Sudanese community. Enthusiasm and passion were the only conditions of entry.

“You’ll see a Sudanese uncle, at Blacktown or Mount Druitt, and they would ask ‘Are you watching the game?’ and I would say, ‘Yeah, and I’m bringing the energy too’,” Deng said.

“It was big for everyone … all ages, all genders tuned in. That was a big thing.”

Savannah Pride basketball players get air during trainingCredit: Louise Kennerley

Deng doesn’t want to be watching from home when the next Olympics are held in 2028. He wants to be in Los Angeles, playing for the country of his mother’s birth, 13,000 kilometres from where he first picked up a basketball.

It might seem like a far-flung ambition, but Deng has precedent on his side. He’s one of the 150 players with the Savannah Pride, a Mount Druitt club that has quickly become a factory for producing top basketball talent.

Thirty-five Savannah Pride players have gone on to play professionally, at US colleges, or for NSW and Australian national teams since the club was founded by Mayor Chagai in 2006.

Among them is Bul Kuol, a Sydney Kings player who represented South Sudan in Paris. Duop Reath – who featured in his second Olympics for the Boomers this year – is the first Pride player to make the NBA, after signing with the Portland Trail Blazers last year.

Chagai was a talented player himself. He was fielding scholarship offers from US colleges and European academies when he badly broke his arm during a game in Kenya in 2005, ending his career.

Savannah Pride is a western Sydney basketball club established in 2006 by South Sudanese Australians Credit: Louise Kennerley

He arrived in Blacktown one year later, 17 years after fleeing his village in South Sudan as a six-year-old, following stops in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Egypt.

“My main aspiration is to showcase the potential of South Sudan to Australia and show to South Sudan what Australia has offered us as a country,” Chagai said.

“To be able to have a contribution that not only benefits my country of birth but also both countries … is something that makes me very proud.”

The stories of South Sudan’s players in Paris strike a chord with those in Chagai’s gym.

Savannah Pride during training at the Shalvey PCYC club. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Carlik Jones, the team’s leading points scorer in Paris, was born in the US but naturalised through his mother’s South Sudanese heritage. Kuol, Sunday Dech, Jackson Makoi and Majok Deng were among the Australian-raised players who represented South Sudan. Others came from Canada, the US, and other parts of Africa.

South Sudan’s Olympic campaign ended with defeats to the US and Serbia – eventual gold and bronze medallists, respectively – after an opening match victory against Puerto Rico.

Savannah Pride run drills during training last week. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Chagai, who watched each game with his players, remembers how he cheered during the Puerto Rico game. His mother is still in South Sudan, while his wife Adol and two boys, aged four and six, live in an apartment in Nairobi, Kenya while they await clearance to join Chagai in Australia.

“For [South Sudan] to be at the Olympics with a contribution from the players that learned from Australia, came from Australia, [they now] can really take Australian knowledge back home to show to their parents and relatives,” Chagai said.

Savannah Pride players take a break from training. The club was established to help people settle into Australia and find like-minded communities.Credit: Louise Kennerley

“We came as refugees because of war, [now we] have something that shows them how beautiful the world is.”

Rilpuou Dut, a Pride player who stands at 205 centimetres at age 15, was inspired by the performance.

“It made me feel motivated seeing a country like us that’s getting noticed on the global stage, and people can recognise it as a great country,” Dut said. “No matter where you come from, you can always dream big.”

Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian travels to Mount Druitt each fortnight to put the Pride’s best players, including Dut, through their paces.

Brian Goorjian has returned to the Sydney Kings on a three-year deal.Credit: James Brickwood

Goorjian, who coached the Boomers in Paris, “got emotional” when South Sudan qualified for the tournament.

Dut reckons it’s “pretty crazy” that a team like the Kings is taking notice of the Pride, but Goorjian knows all too well the promise that lies within the Mount Druitt PCYC. It’s him, after all, that watches over Kuol at the Kings and gave Reath his Olympic debut.

“It makes me feel better [being there] than they feel about me being there,” Goorjian said.

“I took my wife there, I’m taking my daughter there. It’s really, really special.”

The team trains into the late evening in Shalvey, New South Wales. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Source link

October 19, 2024
Upgrade Your Family Lifestyle in this Western Sydney Hotspot

With the first two land releases sold out and over 10,000 registrations of interest in six months, Orchard Hills North is proving to be popular.

The latest development by Legacy Property is attracting buyers seeking a modern, well-connected community that boasts top environmental and sustainable principles at its heart.

With blocks of land starting at $700k and house and land packages from $1.1m, the next land release will be available in October, and buyers are being encouraged to act fast.

“The suburb of Orchard Hills is characterised by beautiful rolling hills and an outlook to the Blue Mountains.

“Residents will enjoy the beautiful views but will also experience significant benefits from the inclusion of sustainability initiatives,” said Steve Barlow, Development Director at Legacy Property.

Residents are drawn the the lush greenery and space on offer at Orchard Hills North.

Amenities and infrastructure

The estate offers a master-planned community which will include a village centre with shops, a lake, and a proposed primary school.

“This village centre will form an engaging neighbourhood focal point with connecting parkland and waterways providing many opportunities for recreation and relaxation,” said Mr Barlow.

Education and childcare facilities are also in close by, including Western Sydney University and TAFE, making it ideal for both young and mature families.

Eco-friendly and sustainable practices have been incorporated into the design, enhancing the pre-existing natural landscape.

“Legacy Property’s vision for Orchard Hills North is to deliver a new community that seeks to combat the urban heat island effect by incorporating innovative cooling measures,” explained Mr Barlow.

The creek line and surrounding greenery will be retained and landscaped to create a ‘green spine’ that runs through the community. The use of trees and vegetation will help to keep the homes and outdoor spaces cool.

Rainwater will also be harvested and reused along the streetscapes, while stormwater will be directed to verges for irrigation.

This will be a cool, green community with innovative measures in place to benefit residents.

Connectivity and transport

One of Orchard Hills North’s standout features is its connectivity.

Situated within easy access of major highways, residents can explore the surrounding areas, including the centre of Penrith, which is just a 12-minute drive away, and Sydney CBD, which is a 45-minute drive away via the M4.

Public transport facilities are also available, with bus services and the nearby Metro station of Orchard Hills set to open in 2025, just 2km down the road, offering regular routes to the city and surrounding areas.

The new Western Sydney airport is just 14km away.

Recreation and entertainment

With picturesque parks, playgrounds, nature trails and sporting fields, there will be something to keep every resident entertained.

The estate also boasts 19 hectares of open spaces and a central lake. A community centre is planned, which will include facilities for indoor sports, social gatherings, and hobby clubs.

The surrounding natural beauty is another reason why buyers are joining the community.

With easy access to the stunning Blue Mountains and nearby national parks, weekends can include hiking or scenic picnics.

Demand and success

Orchard Hills North has seen strong demand since its launch, selling out the first two land releases.

Buyers range from first-time homebuyers and young professionals to families and investors.

The development has been incredibly popular among buyers.

“We’ve seen that more than half of buyers have been families looking to upgrade to a new home and be close to great amenities,” said Mr Barlow.

“They are moving from an established home or apartment, looking to build a brand-new home for their family.

First home buyers have also been active with local couples looking to secure land for their future.

While investors have also been attracted to Orchard Hills North for its future growth potential.”

Orchard Hills North offers a unique blend of modern living, sustainability, and connectivity, making it an ideal choice for lifestyle seekers.

With all this on offer, interested buyers will need to act quickly. For more information and to register for the next land release, visit www.orchardhillsnorth.com.au.

Source link

October 11, 2024
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Shows Unusual Behavior After Multiple Honors for Paris Olympics

On the track, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has always kept a stoic demeanor. Sure, we see her smile. But for the most part, the Olympian has always maintained a determined yet serious persona whenever we see her. That’s precisely what most fans saw when she returned to the world’s biggest stage as a defending champion for the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. This makes many wonder, is the 25-year-old always like this?

Well, we’re here to tell you that the hurdler has quite a goofy side off the tracks. Many of us saw a glimpse of this at Thursday Night Football. The New York Giants locked heads with the Dallas Cowboys on September 26. And New Jersey native McLaughlin-Levrone was spotted on the sidelines. However, the Cowboys beat the Giants 20-15. But the real icing on the cake was a moment between the Olympian and Prime Video reporter Taylor Rooks.

The reporter approached Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and asked if she could touch her gold medal. The Olympian looks for the Olympic medal in her purse and hands it over. However, what she said next caught the reporter by surprise. “Of course. But I have another one.” Rooks shared the interaction on X along with pictures of the two of them from the sidelines. In one of them, she’s holding one of the 25-year-old’s medals, too. She captioned the post, “One of the biggest flexes ever 😭”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s latest behavior a sign of pressure or confidence? React!

Me: “Wait can I touch your gold medal?”

*digs in her purse*

Sydney: “of course. But I have another one.”

One of the biggest flexes ever 😭 pic.twitter.com/bKOUP0i33I

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 27, 2024

The hurdler stepped onto the purple tracks at Stade de France to seize the title of Olympic champion for the next 4 years in the 400m hurdles. While fans expected her to defend her title, she did that and more! The 25-year-old scorched the tracks in a world record-breaking time of 50.37 seconds. Not only did she win her second Olympic gold in the event, but McLaughlin-Levrone is also the only woman to have achieved this feat. In fact, she even shattered her own world record for the 6th time in her career.

However, the Olympian returned to the track for yet another shot at an Olympic gold. Only this time, it was in the women’s 4x400m relay. Her incredible split of 47.71 seconds gave Team USA a comfortable lead. The quartet of herself, Gabby Thomas, Shamier Little, and Alexis Holmes set a new American record with 3:15:27 seconds on the clock. But while her unusual side shocked many, this wouldn’t be the first time the 25-year-old had let loose.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone lets fans in on her playful side

In the latest Ready Set Go podcast episode, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green spoke to their guest, Tiara Williams, also known as Real Talk with Tee. While discussing her Paris Olympics memories, the conversation soon deviated to McLaughlin-Levrone. However, the track and field legend was beyond excited to discuss her fun interactions with the Olympian.

Gatlin reiterated how Williams has a way of bringing out Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. He even reiterated, “I love your interaction with Sydney because I feel like no one brings out a side of Sydney like you bring out and I be sitting like, what is going on here? You got Sydney over here dancing. What’s going on there?” The interview he’s talking about is from the U.S. Olympic Trials in July.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

via Reuters

Tiara Williams was gracious enough to share the secret behind this interaction. “You know, I think it’s just a level of trust.”

In fact, after congratulating the 4x Olympic gold medalist on her qualification, Williams asked the hurdler if there was anything fans should look forward to before the Paris Olympics. Without missing a beat, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone mentioned that she’d lost both her toenails.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“So, you won’t see me with my shoes off for like a year!” she added.

However, they had a mini dance party when the hurdler mentioned her birthday would be right before the finals. Even though these light-hearted moments aren’t as common, we appreciate seeing how goofy the 25-year-old is. What do you think about her hilarious interaction with Taylor Rooks?

Source link

September 27, 2024
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and a strange Diamond League final reveal the future of athletics

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will race at the Diamond League final on Friday. Well, sort of. Arguably the best athlete in the world, the 400m hurdles world record holder, will compete in Brussels across two engrossing days of athletics to punctuate the season following a sensational Paris Olympics.

Except the American will not technically be involved in the Diamond League final. That’s because McLaughlin-Levrone has not appeared in the world’s premier track meet all season – she does not qualify for the finale itself, according to the rules, which stipulate she needed to compete in one meet prior to this week.

Instead, the 25-year-old preserved herself throughout the year, bidding to peak in Paris and claim gold, as was her right. And her plan proved to be a masterstroke. Not only did she claim two golds, including the 4x400m relay, she dazzled in a way that elevated her above the event entirely. All while securing her place and becoming the face of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track.

You see, as great as Olympic bronze medalist Femke Bol is, McLaughlin-Levrone owns the 400m hurdles and has simply been competing against herself in recent years. The titanic showdown with Bol, built up for months by many before Paris, not only failed to materialise, but the chasm between the athletes made the discussion immaterial.

A sizzling time of 50.37 seconds, 1.5 seconds ahead of compatriot Anna Cockrell and 1.78 seconds clear of Bol, reimagined the potential to glide over the barriers at breathtaking speed. World Athletics president Lord Seb Coe even floated the idea of raising their height of the hurdles to provide a sterner test of McLaughlin-Levrone, who by now is well-established as an outlier in this era. Her performance at the Stade de France would see her fall just two tenths of a second shy of qualifying for the final of the flat 400m.

So her stardom has forced organisers to reevaluate the rules, desperate to include her in the final and further legitimise the event.

Except, McLaughlin-Levrone will not race her preferred event, instead it appears she is beginning to experiment and transition towards another challenge, to further cement her athletic legacy.

Her first exhibition sees her run in the 400m flat on Friday, then the 200m on Saturday. But McLaughlin-Levrone will once again be racing against herself, it seems, with Friday’s best opponent, on paper at least, Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams, who holds a season’s best 1.25 seconds slower than the American’s season’s best of 48.75 seconds. That event takes place 11 minutes before the actual Diamond League final, starring Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino. A mouthwatering prospect that will have to wait for 2025 at least.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in action at the Paris Olympics (AP)

While Saturday’s 200m, 24 minutes before Sha’Carri Richardson and Daryll Neita compete in the 200m final, pits McLaughlin-Levrone against the likes of Slovenia’s Maja Mihalinec Zidar and Belgium’s Rani Rosius, both more than seven tenths of a second slower than the American’s best of 22.07 seconds.

“I went to Greece with my husband to relax for a week,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “It was necessary after those fantastic Olympics, which I worked towards for so long.

“I feel enormously grateful for what I was able to experience in Paris. After that, we returned to Los Angeles. But because I still feel physically and mentally fresh, I wanted to run one more meeting to finish the season.”

Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr and Yared Nuguse have signed up for Grand Slam Track (Getty Images)

The two-day meet in the Belgian capital has provided a glimpse of the sport’s future, something already experienced in other sports, such as golf, with the world’s best players, operating as ‘independent contractors’, now divided outside of the four majors for more than two years.

While McLaughlin-Levrone is a welcome addition, in any capacity, this weekend, the conspicuous absence of Grant Holloway, the Olympic 110m hurdles champion, and Josh Kerr, the 1,500m world champion, point to the increasingly-likely prospect of a divided sport in the coming years.

Holloway said on Wednesday: “I will not be participating in the Brussels Diamond League Final due to a failure to reach agreements on the terms of my participation between my team and the meeting directors of the Diamond League. Shame that they doing athletes like that #NeverCompeteForLess.”

Kerr, meanwhile, will have his feet up, having already called time on his season after opting to race the 5th Avenue Mile in New York, where he shattered a 43-year record in a quite stunning 3mins 44.3secs. The allure of the Big Apple, closer to his home in New Mexico, and a sizeable appearance fee was enough for the Briton to snub racing rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen once more in Zurich and Brussels.

Gold medalist Grant Holloway celebrates at Paris 2024 (Getty Images)

All of which is to say the sport might be heavily reliant on Olympic legend Johnson’s new, compelling way. The American believes he can compensate athletes and deliver their “true worth” with Grand Slam Track, with a promise of $12.6m (£9.6m) in prize money next year. Yet its success may depend on every event delivering a near-complete field.

Kerr has signed up with the entire 1,500m Olympic podium, gold medalist Cole Hocker and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse. Yet without Ingebrigtsen, each race will feel incomplete to many, no matter how regularly we see these stars meet head-to-head outside of the major meets. The Diamond League, too, will be forced to respond with increased prize money, forcing many athletes to pick and choose.

So get ready for two days of engrossing athletics in Brussels across many disciplines, but who you see, and crucially who you do not see, point to the sport’s revolution in 2025 and beyond.

Source link

September 13, 2024