Your speedy update on all the day’s stories, Wednesday, July 9 2014
1. Fears for the Gold Coast’s freed whale.
A humpback whale thought to be between 2 to 5 years old has been stranded on the Gold Coast since last night.
At the time of publishing, rescuers had freed the whale, however, it rolled on to its back and there are fears that it will drown.
A Palm Beach resident contacted police at 7pm last night to report the beached whale. A total of 20 people from Seaworld staff and RSPCA were helping the whale become free after being stranded in 30 centimetres of water.
This afternoon’s high tide helped the rescue efforts to get the whale off the beach and into the surf.
2. Children as young as 12 are using drugs to be better athletes.
The Daily Mail reports that a 3-year study by Griffith University and the University of Canberra found that 4% of junior athletes as young as 12 are using performance-enhancing drugs. With a third use nutritional supplements to be the best athlete in their field.
Researchers are concerned that young athletes using drugs has risen over the last 10 years, particularly in when drug-testing isn’t compulsory with young athletes.
Dr Moston, a researcher in the study, has called for more education on the side effects and moral dilemma of doping than an increase in testing.