Latest news with #Rio
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Olympic gold medallist Ellia Green's sad revelation amid return to rugby as a man
Olympic gold medallist Ellia Green can recount attempts at suicide before making the decision to transition from a woman to a man three years ago and coming out of rugby retirement in 2025. A former women's rugby sevens champion at the 2016 Rio games, Green recalled 'being at death's doorstep' following a series of spiralling life events. After returning from Brazil, Green's mother Yolanta was diagnosed and lost her battle with cancer. Compounding shortly after, the star seven's player who scored in the gold medal winning clash four years prior was left out of the squad for the Tokyo Olympics. Despite a stint in the NRLW with the New Zealand Warriors in 2020, Green was left devastated after missing selection for the Olympic title defence. Green retired from professional sport in 2022, walking away at the time as the top try scorer (141) and points scorer (739) in Australian Rugby Seven's history. 'In that very moment, I was like, I am a complete failure,' Green said to A Current Affair. You can watch Ella Green open up about her struggles in the player above. 'On top of the pressures of being a professional athlete, I was caring for my mum with a terminal illness for many years. 'Attempts to end my life, that's probably what made me start to think I should probably start prioritising myself.' It was around the same time Green and partner Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts were about to welcome their daughter Waitui. Shortly after Green made the decision to transition that year, but only went public with the move in 2024 due to fear of backlash. The 32-year-old then made global headlines at the time being the first known Olympian to transition. 'People that transition are not accepted in many spaces and they are bullied. Me telling people would just be like, 'I'm next.'' Fast forward to March this year and Green decided it was time to get the boots back on after a four-year absence from footy. After the struggles of the past years, Green admitted joining the Sydney Convicts in the men's NSW Suburban Rugby Competition was a very close career second, 'if not on par' to the Gold medal match at the Olympics. 'It was me regaining my power back to myself and reminding myself of who I am, what I do best,' Green said. 'I was probably equally as nervous as I was to stand in the tunnel for the Rio Olympics. 'I don't think I ever really changed. This has always been me.' However, while the response since returning to the field has been overwhelmingly positive, Green said there is still an inherent lack of understanding and acceptance of trans athletes in sport. 'What I've noticed is that people online have more of a problem against trans women,' Green continued. 'Where a lot of this harm is coming from is the unknown. 'People can have opinions but if it's at the cost of someone's life, identity and self, what good is that doing? 'Trans people should be able to play sports, yes. Take away 'trans,' should a 'person' be able to play sport? Yes.'
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Deforestation in Sierra Leone national park threatens chimps, humans alike
Esther and Rio, two orphaned baby chimpanzees, clung tenderly to their caregiver's chest at a sanctuary inside one of Sierra Leone's flagship national parks, where unprecedented deforestation and illegal urban encroachment pose a risk to both primates and humans. The young apes, who arrived at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary when they were just three months old, listened with wide eyes as other chimps screeched and played nearby. The park's dense vegetation, stifling heat and the metallic fever pitch of reverberating insects served as a backdrop for the country's spectacular biodiversity, which includes several protected species. While the sanctuary rehabilitates orphaned Western chimpanzees, it is also a leading site for wildlife research and conservation education programmes. It is extremely popular with tourists - but its keepers have defiantly kept it closed since late May. The protest is meant to spur the government into action over the rapid environmental degradation taking place in the national park where it is located. The deterioration does not just affect the chimps, experts say, but also inhabitants of the wider region including the nearby capital of Freetown, home to some two million people. Situated just 15km from the overcrowded metropolis, the sanctuary lies inside the country's Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAP-NP). Mining, logging and urban development have claimed vast swaths of the verdant park. Meanwhile, poachers place traps dangerously close to the terrain for the sanctuary's Western chimpanzees, which are listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Since 2000, Sierra Leone has lost 39% of its forest cover, according to monitoring site Global Forest Watch. And of the 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of forest in WAP-NP, almost a third has been ruined or severely degraded since 2012. "The last two (or) three years we have seen an increase of chimpanzees rescued, simply because you have a lot of degradation outside where wild populations are," sanctuary director Bala Amarasekaran, who founded the facility in 1995, said. Freetown threatened The dangers of deforestation extend well beyond chimpanzees, however, and also threaten humans, particularly those in Freetown whose water supply is controlled by the Guma Dam, located inside WAP-NP. The enormous structure sits about 6km south of the chimpanzee sanctuary and is surrounded by a green, old-growth tropical rainforest. In the valley below the dam, urbanisation is highly visible. The sprawl causes runoff which contains extra silt and sediment that collects in the dam's reservoir and creates sanitation issues, especially in the long rainy season. "This settlement did not exist three years ago," Maada Kpenge, managing director of the Guma Valley Water Company, said. But "every year a few houses get added to it" he said, stating that the squatting residents claim to own the land legitimately. "Every year we lose thousands of hectares of the forest," he said, adding that in 10 or 15 years' time there will be hardly any forest left. Without the trees to help regulate the water cycle and capture and retain water, the dam's level will additionally drop drastically. Under such circumstances, "living in Freetown would be a challenge, almost impossible," Kpenge said. The government faults opaque and corrupt land allocation practices carried out in the past, while highlighting new, stricter laws on land ownership that it says are helping. But activists and experts say the new regulations are not being adequately enforced. Ranger patrol AFP was able to follow a team of underequipped rangers who are attempting to enforce the rules and keep deforestation at bay. "We have so many challenges in the national park and so many (illegal) activities," Alpha Mara, commander of the forest guards within the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), said. On the day AFP spoke with Mara, he and about 20 other rangers packed into one pickup truck to check on six sites located in the park and its buffer zone. Except for one man with a machete, the guards lacked weapons or protective gear to fend off traffickers and squatters. To tear down illicitly constructed structures or remove beams demarcating land that had been claimed illegally, the men used their bare hands. At one site, the ranger with a machete slashed the sheet metal of shacks. Suddenly, a terrified young woman emerged from one, holding a crying baby. The woman, Famata Turay, explained that her husband worked guarding the piece of land and was paid by a wealthy person living abroad who claimed it as his own. "This is illegal construction," ranger Ibrahim Kamara told her as he wrote up a report on the site. Turay said defiantly that she had been unaware. "I feel bad because I don't have any other place to sleep," she said after the rangers left, sobbing as she looked at her half-destroyed shack. Institutional failure Because of deforestation, already extreme temperatures could become unbearable for the majority of residents in Freetown and the surrounding region, experts warn. Deforestation also exacerbates soil erosion, which is already dire during the country's rainy season, as evidenced by Africa's deadliest ever landslide, which struck in Freetown in 2017 and killed 1,141 people. Back at the Tacugama sanctuary, its founder Amarasekaran was appalled at what he saw as the government's institutional failure. If someone is breaking the law, "there should be penalties, there should be prosecution (but) that is not happening," he said. The orphan chimps often arrive malnourished and disabled. Some additionally suffer from gunshot or machete wounds while others were caught by poachers then kept as pets in villages. Even after orphans such as Esther and Rio are rehabilitated, they must still spend the rest of their lives living on the sanctuary's dozens of hectares of protected wilderness, alongside some 120 other chimps. The apes have made Tacugama the country's "number one ecotourism destination", Amarasekaran said.
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Rugby star who won Olympic gold in women's sevens makes a shock return to the sport... only this time things are VERY different
Former women's rugby sevens Olympic gold medallist Ellia Green has opened up on his decision to transition from a man to a woman, revealing it came following a dark period in his life when he heartbreakingly thought about taking his own life. The 32-year-old, who played for Australia's women's rugby sevens side between 2013 and 2021, went public on his transition back in 2024, claiming it was 'the best decision of his life'. He has now returned to the footy pitch for the famous Sydney Convicts team, which is understood to be Australia's first openly gay and inclusive rugby union side. And he is thriving playing in the men's team, revealing to Nine's A Current Affair that he has 'regained my power back to myself' while also 'reminding myself of who I am and what I do best.' It comes following a four-year absence from playing footy, and his journey back to the pitch has been an inspiring one. Green is also hoping his story can help give hope to other people in a similar position. Green's childhood dreams of achieving Olympic glory came true in 2016 after he won gold with Australia's women's sevens side in Rio. During his glittering career, Green represented Australia 149 times and scored a whopping 141 tries, the fourth-most in history. Known for his blistering pace, Green was tough to stop when he got into his stride, racking up a total of 739 points during his career. He even enjoyed a spell with the New Zealand Warriors NRLW side in 2020. However, not long after picking up his gold medal, Green's mother, Yolanta, sadly died, following a long cancer battle. He was then not picked to play at the Tokyo Olympics, a decision that he says, made him feel like a failure. 'In that very moment, I was like, I am a complete failure,' he said to A Current Affair. 'On top of the pressures of being a professional athlete I was caring for my mum with a terminal illness for many years,' he said. Things began to spiral for Green, a selfless person who had always put himself before others. But he then revealed how he snapped out of that spiral. He has now returned to the footy pitch for the famous Sydney Convicts team, which is understood to be Australia's first openly gay and inclusive rugby union side (Picture: middle row, third from right) 'It was probably when I've been at death's doorstep,' he said. Pressed further on what he meant by that, Green heartbreakingly said: 'Attempts to end my life. That's probably what made me think I should start prioritising myself.' Green then underwent his transition, but added he was fearful over how people would view him. 'People in transition are not accepted in many spaces and they are just bullied and everything. Me telling people would just be like: "I'm next". It also came just as he was about to become a parent, welcoming his baby daughter Waitui in 2022. Reflecting on announcing to the world that he had transitioned, he said: 'It was just the beginning of me being unapologetically myself and not being scared about the reactions of others.' Despite never thinking he'd never return to the field, Green has rediscovered his love for footy. Earlier this season he ran out for the Sydney Convicts to help them seal a 29-5 victory against Epping. However, having returned to the footy pitch he is now hoping to inspire others and give them hope. 'I was expecting myself to make some hits. I was expecting myself to run it straight, and I was expecting myself to score a try, that's what I was expecting,' he said, before joking: 'None of that happened...' Green, in fact, has been brilliant for his new side, scoring multiple tries since joining. He was also pressed on whether he had received any backlash since returning to the pitch after transitioning, stating: 'What I've noticed is that people online have more of a problem against trans women,' he said. 'The only thing that they're saying is that, like, I'm gonna get hurt. 'But I'm like, have you seen some of the athletes that play the Sevens circuit? 'Playing against these athletes has given me all the preparations I need to go against a 100kg bloke.' Green did not comment on the debate surrounding transgender athletes playing women's sports but added that all people have a right to play sport, regardless if they are transgender. But reflecting on his own journey, he added: 'I just hope that anything that I've shared can inspire someone, give them hope. The greatest thing you can do is to love yourself and be proud of it.'
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Padraig Harrington loving Dublin heatwave as Irish golf icon shares garden photo fans label ‘adorable'
THANKFULLY, the phrase "a dog's life" has the opposite meaning in the case of Padraig Harrington's pet Rio. The Irish golf legend routinely 2 He captioned the snap of the ten-month-old 'Rio enjoying the good weather' Credit: @padraig_h 2 He adopted Rio after the sad death of his other Bernese Mountain dog Wilson Credit: Getty The latest instance of this showcased Rio savouring the sunshine while lounging on a comfy wicker chair. Rio looking the picture of contentment prompted a tonne of comments who were similarly beaming about it. Julie McCarthy hailed: "He is adorable!" Meanwhile, Patrick McEntee added: "Good boy greetings from Bethpage" (the setting for September's Ryder Cup in New York). Mark Kru branded Rio a "beautiful puppy" while Denis McDonald laughed: "Padraig your dogs have some life haha." Read More On Irish Sport All of Ireland is And the scorcher will leave Ireland hotter than the Today "very warm sunshine" is set to hit with 26C expected in some areas across the country. Meteorologist Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Most read in Golf He said: "Temperatures are on the rise right the way across the country today, with values by this afternoon reaching up to 25C over the southern half of the country where skies will clear early and long spells of warm summer sunshine develop. "Temperatures will continue to climb tomorrow with long spells of sunshine developing once again after some initial cloud in a few spots. Watch Bob MacIntyre's classy reaction after JJ Spaun holes winning putt at US Open "Friday remains warm or very warm with highs again reaching up to 27C or possibly 28C in one or two favoured locations with plenty of sunshine developing once again across the country." Additionally, They predicted: "Friday, will be a very warm or hot day overall, dry with spells of high "Pretty humid as well with top values of 20C to 29C in mostly moderate southeast breezes with the hottest conditions likely towards the north of Ireland." Saturday will bring some warm sunshine but also a scattering of heavy showers, mostly across the western half of the country. Highs of 23C to 24C are expected but there's also the risk of the showery spells of rain. Met Eireann added: "Winds change though on Sunday with fresher breezier conditions with showery spells of rain. "Some heavy bursts here and there with top values of 15C to 20C with best values towards the east and that comes with brisk westerly winds. "And early next week bringing similar conditions with sunny spells and scattered blustery showers for Monday and Tuesday. "And possibly wet weather following for Wednesday and Thursday to though brief and misty foggy start, but with warm sunshine developing widely."
The Print
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Print
CM Rio hails Nagaland's rise from ‘headhunters' to global artistes
He also reflected on the state's transformation over the last two decades, crediting it to a vision of youth empowerment, cultural revival, and investment in the creative sector. Addressing the TaFMA (Task Force for Music and Arts) Excellence Awards 2025 here, the CM highlighted the remarkable journey of Nagaland's creative community from obscurity to international acclaim. Kohima, Jun 19 (PTI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday celebrated the remarkable transformation of Naga people from being labeled 'savage and headhunters' to emerging as a vibrant society excelling in creative arts. 'Our people who were labelled savage, headhunters and illiterate, celebrate festivals, sing songs for different occasions and also have rich culture and traditions. And therefore, when Christianity came to us about 153 years ago, it brought to us not only Christianity, but education, governance and civilisation,' Rio added. He credited Christianity and education in instilling confidence and a sense of identity in Naga people, emphasising that music and the arts had become key mediums for self-expression and pride. Nagaland has to catch up with the much more advanced world in many areas, but Nagas can excel in select fields like music, arts, and sports through hard work, he said. 'We declared Nagaland the land of festivals — not just in name, but in spirit,' the CM said. Recounting his initial efforts in 2003 to promote skill development and arts, including a proposal to train 50,000 youths in music and sports, Rio said although the plan faced setbacks, it led to long-term initiatives like the Music Task Force, Mini Hornbill Festivals, and district-level cultural showcases. 'Today, we are seeing the fruits — recognition not just at the national level, but globally,' Rio added, announcing that Naga artistes will soon perform in Singapore and Russia, representing India on the world stage. The CM also paid tribute to AR Rahman, calling him a 'true friend of Nagaland' and announcing the music legend's intention to establish a music studio in the state, which he said would turn Nagaland into a destination for music, arts, and filmmaking. Advisor to the Chief Minister and chairman of Infrastructure Development Authority of Nagaland, Abu Metha, echoed the CM's sentiments saying, 'the music and arts fraternity of Nagaland has done us proud — not just here, but across continents.' Metha emphasised the importance of the creative economy, stating, 'Nagaland's musicians and artistes are contributing not just to the cultural scene, but also to economic growth and national prestige.' He praised TaFMA's efforts in creating opportunities for youth to participate in nation-building through their talents. 'Art is the highest expression of human spirit. It captures joy, sadness, anger and beauty. Artistes make the human spirit blossom — and our youth are doing just that,' Metha said. Altogether 10 Naga artistes were honoured for excelling in music, arts and modeling. They received a medal and citation with cash. This year's ultimate achiever award went to Hito Kiho, director of The Nagaland Madrigal Singers. During the function, Rio also unveiled Rahman's gift to the Nagas – his personal piano, releasing Lenen Jamir's music video Itaya Nungu, who became the first artiste from Nagaland to cross 10 million views on YouTube and also the release of the 25th Hornbill Music Festival Coffee Table Book. PTI NBS NBS MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
