Latest news with #Olympic
Sky News AU
34 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Antoinette Lattouf reveals shock career change as she signs with Abbie Chatfield's talent agency after unfair dismissal case against the ABC
Antoinette Lattouf has undergone a significant career change following her unfair dismissal case against the ABC after signing with a talent agency best known for representing reality TV stars. Ms Lattouf, 45, who briefly worked as a fill-in radio host for Sydney Mornings, launched legal action against the national broadcaster last year, claiming her contract was unfairly terminated in December 2023. She claimed she was dismissed from the ABC after sharing a post on Instagram by Human Rights Watch (HRW) about the war in Gaza on December 19, which read "HRW reporting starvation as a tool of war". The hearing concluded in February, with Justice Darryl Rangiah thanking both Ms Lattouf and the ABC for the 'vast amount of work they have put into this matter and for their assistance' and reserving his judgment for a later date, which is yet to be disclosed. In the months following her high-profile case, Ms Lattouf has expanded her social media presence, where she speaks about social justice issues. She continues to be outspoken about the war in Gaza and frequently calls out headlines she perceives as inappropriate about the matter. It's expected she will now endeavour to secure more paid work in the media through the help of the Talent Management company Stage Addiction. Ms Lattouf took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce she secured representation with the talent agency in a tongue-in-cheek post. "Who is this human headline hottie now being represented by Stage Addiction?" she wrote in the caption of a professional image of herself. "Get your people to call my people etc etc." Ms Lattouf's famous friends welcomed her latest move in the comments, with Aussie Olympic Giaan Rooney commenting three flame emojis. The Bachelor star Matt Agnew, who Stage Addiction also represents, wrote: "Welcome!!" Stage Addiction's Ben Grand will manage Ms Lattouf, utilising his more than 15 years of experience "building the profiles of some of best-known personalities and entertainers," according to his LinkedIn profile. Stage Addiction also represents The Bachelor and FBoy Island star Abbie Chatfield, as well as The Bachelorette alum Angie Kent. It's understood Ms Lattouf, together with Ben, will elevate the journalist's personal brand and seek to further expand her presence into television, music, radio, film, social media, podcasts, theatre, and publishing. She has experience in multiple mediums, including podcasting as co-host of the news and analysis podcast The Briefing and hosts The Weekend Briefing, which profiles prominent Australians. Ms Lattouf has interviewed Grace Tame, a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual assault, as well as Fatima Payman, who sensationally quit the Labor Party in 2024 to launch a political party called Australia's Voice. The Lebanese journalist has also emerged as a voice for charity work and mental health advocacy and holds speaking engagements. Before her case against the ABC, Ms Lattouf did not frequently platform social justice figures on social media as she does now. She said she was informed in a meeting with ABC management the day after sharing the HRW post that she had breached the national broadcaster's policies regarding the personal use of social media. In her statement of claim, she alleged her political opinion on the Israel-Gaza war and race both played a part in the reasoning for her removal mid-way through her five-day radio presenting contract. The broadcaster has denied that Ms Lattouf's contract was unlawfully terminated. has contacted Ms Lattouf and Ben Grand for comment
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyrese Haliburton had a hilarious 3-word nickname for T.J. McConnell
Tyrese Haliburton had a hilarious 3-word nickname for T.J. McConnell The Indiana Pacers absolutely demolished the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and T.J. McConnell looked like an absolute star. Typically, it is two-time All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton who takes the lead for the Pacers. But while dealing with an injured calf, it was his backup who helped steal the show at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night. The fan-favorite McConnell had 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals off the bench during the 17-point victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder to force Game 7. He played enough minutes that Haliburton was able to get some rest, only logging 22 minutes of action in the potential elimination match. That means Haliburton should have some extra energy for the final game of the season. After the game, the Olympic gold medalist was asked about his teammate. He shared a funny nickname for McConnell: While he originally said he did not have the words to describe the amazing caliber of play, Haliburton called McConnell the "Great White Hope" during the national broadcast on ABC. He said that's what his teammates call him, which is fascinating insight into their dynamics.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Paris Celebrates Olympic Anniversary Amid Legacy Doubts
PARISIANS had such unexpected fun at their Olympics last summer, that they are holding a public anniversary celebration to recapture the party mood, but not everyone is quite as enthusiastic. The Olympic rings will be projected on the Eiffel Tower and there will be a giant Olympic karaoke in front of the town hall on July 26. However, preceding that party the glowing caudron balloon, 'a symbol of the popular enthusiasm for these Olympic Games,' according to France's National Olympic Committee, returns on Saturday. It will float once again above the Tuileries Garden, with President Emmanuel Macron in attendance, to conjure golden memories, even for those who were not there. 'There are many Parisians who fled Paris last year and who kicked themselves,' said Matthieu Gobbi of Aerophile, the company responsible for the balloon. Yet athletes and grass-roots sports organisations in France lament the lack of a more tangible 'legacy'. For those who were there, and the five billion the International Olympic Committee says watched around the world, the Games provided 15 days of candy-coloured distraction from wars, divisive elections and global inflation. The sport was also spectacular, illuminated by the redemption of gymnast Simone Biles, a likely last Roland Garros triumph for the then 37-year-old Novak Djokovic, and the swimming heroics of French golden boy Leon Marchand. An unusually high proportion of the Olympics was held in the the middle of the city, and that posed a challenge. There were fears of terrorist attacks, that public transport would not cope and the Seine would be too polluted for triathletes and long-distance swimmers to compete. Yet Paris pulled it off, enhancing its image, not least in France, as the world's leading tourist destination. 'We'll see who can repeat a Games like this,' said Macron. 'Joy, unity, pride' This summer, Parisians will be able to swim at three venues along the Seine. The Tour de France, rerouted to avoid the capital last year, returns for its traditional finish on the Champs-Elysees at the end of a stage that covers many of the same streets where half a million spectators watched the Olympic road races. That stage will be on July 27, a year and a day after the Paris Games opened with an epic and grandiose ceremony, put on by a cast of 20,000 artists and staff, along the Seine. Celine Dion sang from the Eiffel Tower while the athletes sailed down the river in the pouring rain. 'This moment is a memory we share. It's not so common these days,' Thomas Jolly, artistic director for the opening and closing ceremonies, told AFP. 'Having everyone watching the same thing at the same time... surely creates a bond!' The ceremony left a lasting mark, he said, 'of joy, unity, pride'. The Games themselves even made a profit, a surplus of 76 million euros. That figure does not yet include broader public spending, particularly on infrastructure, and it is here that some in France feel the Olympics has left a slightly bitter taste. 'Legacy' For Olympic organisers 'legacy' -- both tangible and intangible -- helps legitimise hosting an event many countries no longer want. 'We're trying to give the Olympics a role they weren't made for,' Mickael Attali, a sports historian at Rennes II University, told AFP. 'Good memories' and 'a good image of France' remain. 'Materially, there are still some things left in Seine-Saint-Denis,' said Attali, referring to the poorest departement in mainland France where the Olympic Aquatic Centre, opposite the Stade de France, has just opened to the public. Macron promised the Olympics would help turn France into a sporting nation. The number of people registered to sports clubs has increased five percent, but thousands of enthusiastic children were turned away last autumn because of a lack of space. After the Games ended, national and local sports budgets were cut. Sports officials say infrastructure projects have been halted and expenditure on equipment cut. Some French athletes were abandoned by commercial sponsors. 'All the companies that had set up sponsorship for the Olympics have left,' said a specialist in sports marketing. Even some of France's Olympic stars feel the lustre has faded fast. 'We should not have said there would be a legacy,' said Olympic fencing champion Manon Apithy-Brunet.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Summoning golden Olympic memories, Paris parties like it's 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the site of the reinstallation of the Olympic cauldron at the Tuileries Garden in Paris. PHOTO: REUTERS PARIS – Parisians had such unexpected fun at their Olympics last summer, that they are holding a public anniversary celebration to recapture the party mood, but not everyone is quite as enthusiastic. The Olympic rings will be projected on the Eiffel Tower and there will be a giant Olympic karaoke in front of the town hall on July 26. However, preceding that party the glowing caudron balloon – 'a symbol of the popular enthusiasm for these Olympic Games' according to France's National Olympic Committee – returns on June 21. It will float once again above the Tuileries Garden, with President Emmanuel Macron in attendance, to conjure golden memories, even for those who were not there. 'There are many Parisians who fled Paris last year and who kicked themselves,' said Matthieu Gobbi of Aerophile, the company responsible for the balloon. Yet athletes and grass-roots sports organisations in France lament the lack of a more tangible 'legacy'. For those who were there, and the five billion the International Olympic Committee (IOC) says watched around the world, the Games provided 15 days of candy-coloured distraction from wars, divisive elections and global inflation. The sport was also spectacular, illuminated by the redemption of gymnast Simone Biles, a likely last Roland Garros triumph for the then 37-year-old Novak Djokovic, and the swimming heroics of French golden boy Leon Marchand. An unusually high proportion of the Olympics was held in the the middle of the city, and that posed a challenge. There were fears of terrorist attacks, that public transport would not cope and the Seine would be too polluted for triathletes and long-distance swimmers to compete. Yet Paris pulled it off, enhancing its image, not least in France, as the world's leading tourist destination. 'We'll see who can repeat a Games like this,' said Mr Macron. This summer, Parisians will be able to swim at three venues along the Seine. The Tour de France, rerouted to avoid the capital in 2024, returns for its traditional finish on the Champs-Elysees at the end of a stage that covers many of the same streets where half a million spectators watched the Olympic road races. That stage will be on July 27, a year and a day after the Paris Games opened with an epic and grandiose ceremony, put on by a cast of 20,000 artists and staff, along the Seine. Celine Dion sang from the Eiffel Tower while the athletes sailed down the river in the pouring rain. 'This moment is a memory we share. It's not so common these days,' said Thomas Jolly, artistic director for the opening and closing ceremonies. 'Having everyone watching the same thing at the same time... surely creates a bond!' The ceremony left a lasting mark, he added, 'of joy, unity, pride'. The Games themselves even made a profit, a surplus of €76 million (S$112 million). That figure does not yet include broader public spending, particularly on infrastructure, and it is here that some in France feel the Olympics has left a slightly bitter taste. For Olympic organisers 'legacy' – both tangible and intangible – helps legitimise hosting an event many countries no longer want. 'We're trying to give the Olympics a role they weren't made for,' said Mickael Attali, a sports historian at Rennes II University. 'Good memories' and 'a good image of France' remain. 'Materially, there are still some things left in Seine-Saint-Denis,' said Attali, referring to the poorest departement in mainland France where the Olympic Aquatic Centre, opposite the Stade de France, has just opened to the public. Mr Macron promised the Olympics would help turn France into a sporting nation. The number of people registered to sports clubs has increased 5 per cent, but thousands of enthusiastic children were turned away last autumn because of a lack of space. After the Games ended, national and local sports budgets were cut. Sports officials say infrastructure projects have been halted and expenditure on equipment cut. Some French athletes were abandoned by commercial sponsors. 'All the companies that had set up sponsorship for the Olympics have left,' said a specialist in sports marketing. Even some of France's Olympic stars feel the lustre has faded fast. 'We should not have said there would be a legacy,' said Olympic fencing champion Manon Apithy-Brunet. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CAF
2 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
Nawal El Moutawakel: "I hope the Women's AFCON will strengthen the place of women in sports."
A global sports icon, Nawal El Moutawakel continues to blaze trails for women, forty years after her Olympic triumph. As the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024 approaches, she reflects on the impact of this tournament for Morocco and Africa With emotion, commitment, and clarity, Africa's first Olympic champion delivers a powerful message: believing in Africa's girls is an investment in the future. On August 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, a young Moroccan woman made history. In 54.61 seconds (an Olympic record at the time), Nawal El Moutawakel became the first African, Arab, and Muslim woman to win Olympic gold. The women's 400m hurdles had just made its Olympic debut — and Africa, its breakthrough. It was more than just a medal: it was an earthquake. A victory in uncharted territory that would pave the way for generations. Since that day, Nawal El Moutawakel has never run alone. Forty years later, the former champion has become one of the most influential figures in global sports. Minister, ambassador, vice president of the International Olympic Committee — she has always upheld the cause of women's sports with the same fire she once carried on the track as a pioneer. And now, the story continues where it all began. The TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations is returning to Morocco — the country where her first dreams, her first achievements, and her first strides began. On the very soil that saw her groundbreaking steps, Morocco now celebrates, through this competition, the values she has always stood for: ambition, courage, belief in youth and in the future. Far from the athletics track but still at the heart of the action, Nawal El Moutawakel reconnects with the energy of the field alongside the Atlas Lionesses. For her, sport is a promise — of empowerment, upliftment, and ever-expanding horizons for all the girls of the continent. In this interview, Nawal El Moutawakel shares what the TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON means for her country, for African women, and for herself. How do you feel seeing a major women's tournament like the AFCON take place in your country? Nawal El Moutawakel: It's an immense source of pride to see the Women's Africa Cup of Nations held in my country, Morocco. It sends a strong message of progress and commitment to sports in general and women's sports in particular. It shows that Morocco is moving toward more equality and equity, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has given a strong push to the advancement of women. You are a pioneer of Moroccan and African women's sport. What has driven you throughout your journey? Sport has given me so much: discipline, rigor, determination, passion — but above all, the belief that women have a rightful place in sports, at every level. I've always believed that with willpower, barriers can be overcome. The 400m hurdles at the 1984 Olympics remains iconic. How did that moment change your life? It was a turning point. That historic victory thrust me onto the international stage, but more importantly, it gave hope and dreams to thousands of young girls and women in Morocco, Africa, and the Arab world. It became much more than a medal — it was a powerful message. You became a symbol of empowerment for a whole generation and beyond. Was that a responsibility you took on quickly? Yes. I realized very early on that my unusual path could serve others. I embraced that responsibility with pride, seriousness, humility, and awareness. How was your Olympic win perceived in Morocco at the time? It was received with immense emotion. It was a first for the country — and for a woman! I felt an incredible wave of love, pride, and admiration from Moroccans. It marked an entire generation. As a Minister, IOC vice president, and dedicated ambassador — why has sport always been the thread running through your work? Sport made me who I am today. It impacted my life deeply, and I wanted to use my experience to serve others, defend causes, and promote the noble values and ideals of sport worldwide. I quickly understood the magical power of sport — it's a universal language, a tool for empowerment, diplomacy, and development. What are your expectations for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON, both in terms of sports and societal impact? Like all Moroccans, I'm hoping for a high-level, competitive, and spectacular tournament. I hope it helps shift mindsets, strengthens the place of women in sports, and inspires future generations. You've always defended the role of women in sport. What does this tournament mean in that context? I believe Morocco being chosen to host the Women's AFCON is a wise decision. Our women's team has already proven they are capable and talented. I'm confident they will rise to the challenge and show that they too carry important messages — of equal opportunity and fairness. As a prominent figure, will you be actively involved during the tournament? Absolutely. I'll be in the stands among thousands of spectators, supporting and encouraging our women's team, which will need all our support to move forward. I should mention that as a young girl, I played football before athletics. So football has a special place in my heart. Can we hope that this WAFCON inspires future Nawal El Moutawakels in football? That's exactly what I hope! That this AFCON becomes a source of dreams and ambition for all young girls passionate about sport. Women's football has a bright future, thanks to the push from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), led by Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, whose leadership, strategic vision, and sound governance have continuously impressed us. The results speak for themselves, especially the historic performance at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. What are Moroccan fans expecting from the Atlas Lionesses? The public expects fighting spirit, pride, and hopefully a historic run! But beyond results, it's about representing the country with dignity and writing a new page in our sports history. In one sentence, what message would you like to send to Africa on the occasion of the 2024 Women's AFCON? That Africa should believe in its daughters, support them, celebrate them, and guide them to the top — because their success is the success of the whole continent. The slogan of this year's Women's AFCON is 'Born Winners.' What does that mean to you? This slogan honours those women who, from a young age, carry within them a fierce determination to become extraordinary figures capable of pushing boundaries. Through it, an entire generation of African sportswomen is being celebrated: fighters, role models for future generations. Photo credit: International Olympic Committee (IOC)
