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The Loop: Australian swimmer Emma McKeon makes history, more space junk in NSW, and a huge cycling crash at the Commonwealth Games

The Loop: Australian swimmer Emma McKeon makes history, more space junk in NSW, and a huge cycling crash at the Commonwealth Games

Hi there. It’s Monday, August 1, and you’re reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today’s news.

One thing to know: Australian house prices are falling, and quickly

A new report from analytics firm CoreLogic has found that house prices in Australia are dropping at their fastest pace since the global financial crisis in 2008 and market conditions are “likely to worsen” as interest rates continue to rise.

The data shows the nation’s median property value dropped by 2 per cent since the beginning of May to $747,182 (this includes both houses and apartments).

But the numbers vary depending on location, so here’s a breakdown of what has happened in the major cities:

A table showing that Australia's median property price dropped 1.3 per cent in July 2022 to $747,812.
Property prices in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart fell sharply in July.(CoreLogic)

Economists predict Australian house prices could fall between 12 and 20 per cent after recently reaching record highs.

Today we heard a lot about China’s influence in Solomon Islands

A major investigation by Four Corners has uncovered details of how money from Beijing has helped keep the controversial leader of the Solomon Islands in power.

It also revealed how China is pursuing economic opportunities across Solomon Islands to boost its strategic interests in the Pacific.

A Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy a deep-water port and a World War II airstrip in the country.

You can read the full report from the Four Corners team right here.

Here is what happened when Four Corners tried to film a Chinese business in Solomon Islands as part of the investigation …

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

Play Video. Duration: 4 minutes 35 seconds

Watch what happened when Four Corners tried filming a Chinese business in Solomon Islands

News you might have missed

  • australian swimmer Emma McKeon has won a record-breaking 11th Commonwealth Games gold medal, overtaking legends of the sport such as Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones to have the most gold medals of any Commonwealth Games athlete. On social media she described the moment as “a huge milestone” in her career

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  • You might remember that last week we reported on what appeared to be large pieces of space junk which were discovered in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains region. Well, the existence of another huge piece has now been brought to light (well, to Earth, more accurately). It’s also believed to be linked to SpaceX, but the company is yet to claim ownership of it. Here’s what it looks like…
a piece of space junk sitting in a paddock
More space junk has been found in the NSW Snowy Mountains, this time at a property in Moonbah.(Supplied: Nick Lodge)
  • The federal government has warned gas producers that it will pull its “gas trigger” to restrict their exports if domestic supplies for next year aren’t guaranteed. It comes after consumer watchdog the ACCC warned the government to consider intervening because the outlook for next year was “very concerning”, with most gas supplied slated for export

Here’s what Australia has been searching for online

  • bill russell. The celebrated American basketballer and civil right activist has died at the age of 88. Russell was a 12-time NBA All-Star and the centerpiece of a Boston Celtics dynasty which won 11 championships in 13 years. Tributes have been flowing from basketballers and activists around the world, including the NBA itself…

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  • Nichelle Nichols: The American actor who broke barriers for black women in Hollywood when she played lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek TV show has died aged 89. She also served for many years as a NASA recruiter, helping to bring minorities and women into the astronaut corps. Here’s how her de ella fellow Star Trek cast member George Takei remembered her today…

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One more thing: There was a huge cycling crash at the Commonwealth Games

Some dramatic photos have emerged after three cyclists were taken to hospital and spectators were injured in a horrific crash during a heat of the men’s scratch race at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

England’s Matt Walls was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowd at the Lee Valley VeloPark, before receiving treatment and eventually leaving in an ambulance.

Spectators were also hurt when Walls and his bike came over the top of the barriers at a corner of the track.

A male track cyclist lands in the crowd with his bike following a crash at the Commonwealth Games.
Matt Walls and his bike cleared the barrier surrounding the track during the crash.(Getty Images/PA Images: John Walton)
Three riders lay on the ground, one collects himself and one lays horizontally in the crowd after a crash
Walls lays horizontally among the shocked crowd. (AP: Ian Walton)
Three riders tumble through the air after a fall
Riders had also failed in a crash lower down the banking. (AP: Ian Walton)

Retired Australian cyclist Stuart O’Grady told Channel Seven he believes the varying abilities of cyclists has contributed to the crashes we’ve seen at the Commonwealth Games (there was an earlier one involving Australia’s Matt Glaetzer too).

“We have got a varying ability of athlete at the Commonwealth Games, more so than Olympics and World Championships,” he said.

“We may not be at the level as the big international superstars, so when you are racing on a few millimetres of tire on bikes with no breaks and high-pressure incidents, things can go wrong really quickly.”

You’re up to date!

We’ll be back tomorrow with more.

If you happen to hop on a bike before then, just …

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Trans cheerleader kicked out of cheerleading camp over alleged altercation

Trans cheerleader kicked out of cheerleading camp over alleged altercation

A transgender cheerleader in the United States was kicked out of a cheerleading camp after she allegedly attacked a teammate who made a transphobic remark.

Last week Averie Chanel Medlock, 25, was expelled from Ranger College cheerleading camp in Texas after she was alleged to have choked a 17-year-old female teammate, identified only as Karleigh.

The girl and other cheerleaders reportedly locked themselves inside a room to hide from an angry Ms Medlock.

Police were called to the scene and Ms Medlock was booted from the camp.

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Ms Medlock took to Facebook to explain the incident and said she “stood up” for herself.

“Well guys I’m officially retired as a cheerleader as of last night at 5:30am. A girl on the team was being very disrespectful and told me I am a MAN with a PENIS and that [guys] should not be on the team,” she wrote.

“I stood up for myself and she called her mom and dad because she was scared because I [stood] up for myself.

“Her father said, ‘She still has testosterone and a penis and I will kill anyone who comes after my daughter.’”

Karleigh’s father Mike Jones was also called to the scene by his daughter, and denied attacking Ms Medlock’s gender or race.

“I ask you what you would have done when receiving a phone call at 1am in the morning from your daughter stating they had locked themselves in the room with other girls,” he wrote on Facebook.

“At no time did I ever say anything about your race or your gender.”

He has begun pushing for police to release body camera and CCTV footage of the incident.

Ranger College said in a statement that the school will investigate the incident.

“Ranger College takes all allegations of this nature seriously and is committed to providing a learning environment free from discrimination,” the school said.

The incident comes as debate continues to rage about transgender participation in female athletics, most recently in the case of University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas.

Ms Thomas competed for the school’s male swim team between 2017 and 2020, but transitioned to compete with females for the 2021 season.

She became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division 1 national championship in 2022, and has since been at the center of debate around transgender participation in sports.

The controversy has led to 18 US states passing legislation that bans or limits transgender participation to the athlete’s birth sex.

– with The New York Post

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Nelson Asofa-Solomona not charged for Wayde Egan hit, MRC explanation, Graham Annesley

The NRL’s match review committee has offered a rare explanation for the decision to not charge Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona for a suspect act on an opponent.

There’s been outcry since the Storm behemoth appeared to drive his elbow and forearm into the face of Warriors hooker Wayde Egan in Auckland on Friday night.

Egan lay injured on the ground for several minutes as a result of the incident, and left the field clutching his jaw.

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Several of his teeth were busted as a result of Asofa-Solomona’s act, but on Saturday the MRC charge sheet did not feature the incident, despite it being penalized and reported at the time.

Making the decision more confusing was the fact Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was charged and fined for a similar incident on Manly debutant Zac Fulton on Thursday night.

NRL legend Andrew Johns called the decision not to charge Asofa-Solomona “laughable”.

“To me, that’s four months’ suspension,” Johns said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

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“Honestly? Nothing for that, or a fine? There was nothing but intent to hurt (Egan). That’s what it was.”

On Monday, MRC manager Luke Patten released a short video explaining how his five-person committee reached the decision that the Asofa-Solomona action was unworthy of a charge.

“We identified that there was an extra player – (Felise) Kaufusi – contributing to the force of the tackle, so two big men on a smaller man,” Patten said.

Roosters enforcer penalized for dirty act

“We identified that Nelson creates space so there is no crusher and no force applied to Egan’s neck. There was a couple of other things we had to clear – first the head slam; we see there was clear separation from Nelson’s right arm as player Egan gets thrown to the ground.Nelson has a good grip with his left arm but there is clear separation, whereas in a head slam you would see that arm isolate the head and really slam it into the ground, so we cleared that.

“Secondly was the dangerous contact aspect… in one of the back angles you can see Nelson gets a grip under Egan’s left arm, and we believe Nelson’s right arm was diagonal from that grip, across his chest.

“There might be possibly minor contact at the end of the tackle with Nelson’s forearm to the neck and chin area, but that was a minor contact. It was a forceful tackle which unfortunately results in Egan’s head going into the ground.”

NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley was at pains to reiterate the MRC acts independently from the governing body, and so the finger can’t be pointed at his department.

Gould tees off on Finucane suspension

But Annesley was pressed by journalists on a supposed disconnect between the game-day match officials, the MRC, and the NRL judiciary – which is again an independent body.

The Asofa-Solomona controversy comes a week after Cronulla forward Dale Finucane was banned for two games for an accidental head clash, which injured the ear of Penrith center Stephen Crichton.

Annesley was asked why Finucane was penalized for failing to show a “duty of care”, while Asofa-Solomona is unpunished for an act that badly damaged a player’s face.

“They saw it as a very physical tackle, but a lot of tackles in our game are very physical,” he said of the Asofa-Solomona incident.

He was also asked to explain how the Asofa-Solomona incident was different from the Waerea-Hargreaves one.

“A very different type of video evidence that was available to clarify that incident. It depends on the circumstances, it depends on the clarity of vision that is available,” Annesley said.

Finucane banned for head clash

“The number of camera angles is very similar in every game. It’s more about the clarity… sometimes things get captured better, it’s more open, you don’t have as many players around (the incident).”

On the suggestion of a disconnect specifically, Annesley said the system was designed so player penalties could be handled independently from the NRL itself.

“What we are trying to have is a system devoid of administrative intervention, and is effectively – to put it in legal terms… it’s allowing players natural justice,” he said.

“My staff could probably look at it and say, ‘oh that doesn’t look too good, let’s charge that’, but that’s the administration doing it, it’s not independent, it doesn’t have the benefit of former players and former referees … all having their own perspective.

“No one at the NRL expects everyone is going to agree (with their decisions), just as not everyone will agree with what happens on the field… but it’s the process that is important, it’s the independence of it, it’s allowing natural justice to take place.”

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Uniform controversies that have rocked sport around the world

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David Klemmer Eels transfer blocked, mid-season move, Knights prop, Parramatta Eels, Newcastle Knights, loan deal, transfers, contracts, news

David Klemmer Eels transfer blocked, mid-season move, Knights prop, Parramatta Eels, Newcastle Knights, loan deal, transfers, contracts, news

The Parramatta Eels reportedly were blocked in their attempts to sign Knights enforcer David Klemmer for the remainder of the 2022 season on a loan deal.

Reports circled Sea Eagles prop Marty Taupau would make the short move, but that play was rejected by Manly coach Des Hasler.

Brad Arthur then turned his attention elsewhere in a bid to secure a front rower before the August 1 deadline but Knights powerbrokers also denied the request according to The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield.

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“They contacted Clint Zammit, who took it to Adam O’Brien and the senior management at the Knights… they made the decision, and they made it about an hour ago that they would not realize him,” Rothfield said on NRL360.

Rothfield revealed there were a number of sticking points that were unable to be negotiated, including the length of the deal.

The Eels reportedly wanted Klemmer on a short-term loan, but the bustling prop wanted a longer contract to extend his stay at Parramatta past 2022.

“I think there were too many issues involved in the deal, David Klemmer, to join Parramatta for these five games, wanted two years, not just the last year of his contract,” Rothfield said.

“And there were a lot of things like this they couldn’t sort their way through.”

Is O’Brien under pressure at Knights? | 05:59

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“So he would have gone for the remainder of this season and then another couple of seasons on top of that,” Fox League’s James Hooper said.

While the 28-year-old has been one of Newcastle’s best in 2022, Rothfield believes a move for Klemmer was entertained by Newcastle powerbrokers and could have been finalized.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien was said to have met with club bosses on Monday afternoon who reportedly “wouldn’t have fought too hard to keep him”.

“I can’t sit here and say that definitely, but what I am hearing within the club they wouldn’t have fought too hard to keep him,” Rothfield said.

“If the right deal could have been done, why would that have been? He is only 28, he has been around, he has played Origin, he has played Test matches.

V’landys moves transfer deadline | 03:02

“I think there is a feeling around the club that Klemmer hasn’t fitted into game plans like they’d probably hope he had had this year.

“That he might take one or two too many carries each half, when Joey has trained them during the week to switch it or spin it or whatever.

“I just think he can be a hard guy to coach, and that is why I am saying that I don’t think they would have tried overly hard, they wouldn’t have kicked him out the door, but that is why they entertained it today.”

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Collingwood star Taylor Adams sidelined indefinitely with fresh groin injury

Collingwood’s hopes of remaining in the top four have been dealt a blow with on-baller Taylor Adams ruled out for the remainder of the home and away season.

Adams was subbed out at half-time of Collingwood’s six-point win over Port Adelaide on Saturday with a groin injury, with scans later confirming the severity of the strain.

Collingwood has emerged as a legitimate premiership threat on the back of a 10-match winning streak that has seen it climb from 17th last season to currently third on the ladder.

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It remains unclear when Adams will return to the Pies’ line-up, but a deep finals run could see the 28-year-old potentially return to the field this year. He will be assessed in the coming weeks.

Adams is not unfamiliar with concerns around the groin area, having missed three months due to an adductor injury in 2019, before having his 2020 pre-season interrupted by a separate groin injury.

However, despite his checkered injury history in recent years, Adams has been ever-present in Collingwood’s line-up this year, playing in 17 of 19 matches.

Adams’ impending absence comes as the Magpies get set to welcome back All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy after a three-month absence.

Grundy, who has not played at the AFL level since Anzac Day, emerged out of a VFL hit-out unscathed at the weekend and could be recalled to face Melbourne on Friday night.

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Where are they now: Looking back at every AFL No.1 draft pick since 2000

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Prince William breaks protocol during UEFA Women’s Euro ceremony with Lionesses after England defeated Germany in final

Prince William breaks protocol during UEFA Women's Euro ceremony with Lionesses after England defeated Germany in final

Prince William cheekily broke protocol during his excitement and elation when England defeated Germany in the UEFA European Women’s Championship.

The English team – affectionately known as the Lionesses – won their first Euros trophy in extra time where they conquered the Germans 2-1 in front of a sell-out raucous home crowd at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night.

England’s Keira Walsh put a perfect through-ball to teammate Ella Toone who sent a perfect chip over the German goalkeeper to put the hosts ahead at the 61st minute.

Germany – who have never lost a Euros final – responded in the 78th minute with a strike near the goal to level the score and send the match into extra time.

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The crowd of more than 87,000 fans were on the edge of their seats with ten minutes left before the match was likely headed for a penalty shootout.

But a perfect corner from Lioness Lauren Hemp saw the ball bounce off Lucy Bronze into the German keeper before Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal.

The home fans roared with delight before the final whistle blew to confirm the Lionesses had secured their first major trophy in a stunning upset.

Prince William watched the final alongside other dignitaries, including the potential next British prime minister Liz Truss from the grandstand.

The Duke of Cambridge later handed out the winning medals to each of the women at the award ceremony where he understandably broke protocol.

He initially shook hands with some of the Lionesses before he offered hugs to congratulate the emotional players.

A royal member would traditionally offer their hand for a shake but Prince William has been known to break protocol in past engagements with the public.

Prince William also later took to social media to congratulate the English side again for their victory over Germany.

“Sensational,” he said on his official Twitter page.

“An incredible win @lionesses and the whole nation couldn’t be more prouder of you all.

“Wonderful to see history in the making tonight at Wembley, congratulations! W.”

The Queen also shared a congratulatory message on social media.

“My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships,” the statement read.

“It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.

“The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise. However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.”

Tens of thousands of Brits flooded pubs and bars around the country post-match to celebrate the Lionesses win.

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Fernando Alonso signs for Aston Martin in 2023, news, latest, Sebastian Vettel retirement, Formula One, Oscar Piastri

Fernando Alonso signs for Aston Martin in 2023, news, latest, Sebastian Vettel retirement, Formula One, Oscar Piastri

Fernando Alonso will join Aston Martin from 2023, clearing the way for Oscar Piastri to make his full-time debut next season.

Alonso made the shock announcement on Monday, confirming the switch on a multiyear deal starting in 2023.

The two-time champion said he was convinced the team, currently ninth in the standings with 20 points, less than half his own current tally, was capable of success during his contract term.

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“This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today,” he said. “I have known Lawrence [Stroll] and Lance [Stroll] for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula 1.

“I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone.

“No-one in Formula 1 today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.”

Alonso had signaled he wanted to stay with Alpine for at least two more seasons, but the French team was reportedly prepared to offer him only one more year before shifting his to sportscars to avoid losing Aussie junior Piastri to a rival constructor.

The Spaniard, who said he returned to the sport last year to fight for a third championship, said he wasn’t prepared to give up on his long-held goal.

“I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organization that is committed to learn, develop and succeed,” he said. “I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me.”

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His defection paves the way for Aussie young gun Oscar Piastri to be promoted to his seat alongside Esteban Ocon next year.

Piastri will be the second full-time Australian driver on the grid alongside Daniel Ricciardo.

The team has been agonizing over Alonso’s future knowing that the Mark Webber-led Piastri was determined to see the reining F2 champion in a competitive seat as early as possible.

As recently as last week the team was talking publicly about loaning Piastri, most likely to backmarking the Williams team. Webber was meanwhile rumored to be attempting to engineer a switch to Ricciardo’s McLaren seat despite the senior Aussie being under contract.

Alpine is yet to comment on Alonso’s announcement.

Leclerc burnt by ANOTHER Ferrari blunder | 01:14

Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll said Alonso’s signature was a vote of confidence in his team’s plans to move forward on the grid.

“I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me,” he said. “I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organization to succeed in this highly competitive sport, and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone.

“It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be part of the development of a winning team, and we very quickly established in our recent conversations that we have the same ambitions and values, and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together. .”

Alonso is replacing four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, who announced his end-of-year retirement from the sport last week.

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Day 4, Results, medals, schedule, how to watch, sports, countries

Day 4, Results, medals, schedule, how to watch, sports, countries

Commonwealth Games 2022 LIVE updates: Day 4, Results, medals, schedule, how to watch, sports, countries
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Alonso joins Aston Martin on multi-year F1 deal

Alonso joins Aston Martin on multi-year F1 deal

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso will replace Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin for the 2023 Formula 1 season on a ‘multi-year’ contract.

Alonso will leave Alpine following a two-year stint with the team, paving the way for Australian Oscar Piastri to join the grid for 2023, though that is as yet unconfirmed.

“This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula 1 today,” Alonso said of his move.

“I have known Lawrence [Stroll] and Lance [Stroll] for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula One.

“I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone.

“No one in Formula 1 today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.

“I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organization that is committed to learn, develop and succeed.

“We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front, and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance.

“The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convinces me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport.

“I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me.”

Alonso re-joined the operation currently known as Alpine at the start of last season, having twice driven for it previously.

It was with the squad, when known as Renault, that he won his two world championships, in 2005 and 2006.

With his contract up at the end of the current season, it was widely expected Alonso would renew for at least another year, with CEO Laurent Rossi factoring him into the company’s World Endurance Championship plans.

His presence at the team was a road block for Oscar Piastri, last year’s Formula 2 champion who is this year working as the team’s reserve driver.

It was thought he would be farmed out to Williams for the duration of Alonso’s next contract, a move which is now unnecessary.

Alonso’s shift is therefore all but confirmation that the Australian will partner Esteban Ocon at the Anglo-French team next season.

It also settles much of the remaining driver market, with Piastri linked to McLaren, though that suggestion was always fanciful to the point of ridiculous.

Williams now holds the most coveted seat on the grid for next year, with Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant arguably the front runners for that opportunity, alongside incumbent Nicholas Latifi.

Meanwhile, at Aston Martin the addition of Alonso adds experience alongside Stroll that the squad would have otherwise lost following the retirement of Vettel.

“I have witnessed the excitement in the engineering team and throughout the whole organization at the opportunity to work with Fernando,” said Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack.

“We know that nearly everyone can learn from someone of Fernando’s caliber and experience.

“We are confident that he will inspire everyone to lift their game, and that will only enhance the already infectious energy that exists within the team.

“We are on a journey to create a winning organization, and it is clear that Fernando will accelerate our progress and bring us to a performance in which we can take pride.

“We are delighted to have Fernando and Lance as our driver line-up next year – the combination of experience and youth will be incredibly strong and both drivers look forward to competing and working together.

“The team has a new leadership focused on the development of AMR23, and we are all thrilled that they and our future projects will benefit from the knowledge and experience that Fernando will bring.”

Team owner Lawrence Stroll added: “I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me.

“I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organization to succeed in this highly competitive sport, and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone.

“It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be part of the development of a winning team, and we very quickly established in our recent conversations that we have the same ambitions and values, and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together. .”

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Controversy, but louder: Stenson’s LIV Golf title takes backseat in Trumpland | LIV Golf Series

It didn’t take long for Henrik Stenson’s decision to join the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series to pay off handsomely.

Less than a fortnight after the even-keeled Swede was stripped of Europe’s Ryder Cup captaincy with immediate effect for defecting to the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway circuit on a reported $50m signing fee, Stenson carded a final-round 69 on Sunday afternoon to win LIV Golf’s third event by two shots over Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolff at Trump National Golf Club in the leafy New Jersey township of Bedminster 45 miles west of New York City.

“I guess we can agree I played like a captain,” said Stenson, who brought home $4m for beating the field and an additional $375,000 for his team’s second-place finish, eye-watering sums that helped compensate for the withering criticism he’s endured since reneging on a March pledge upon accepting the captain’s post to fully support the DP Tour.

“I think there might have been a little bit of extra motivation in there this week,” he added. “When we as players have that, I think we can bring out the good stuff. I guess that’s been a bit of a theme over the course of my career, I think, when I really want something I manage to dig a little bit deeper, and a lot of times we manage to make it happen.”

On the surface it hit all the notes of a feel-good narrative: a hard-won return to the winner’s circle for a 46-year-old ranked 173rd in the world who hasn’t been there often since his record-breaking triumph at the 2016 Open. But as Stenson accepted the trophy alongside Donald Trump during a pyrotechnic-peppered ceremony that was curiously omitted from the official broadcast, while Donald Trump Jr declared it “the greatest F/U in the history of Golf”, a gnawing sense of tedium prevailed that not even the post-game Chainsmokers concert near the 10th hole could dispel.

The opprobrium that has come to define the upstart circuit bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was only magnified at the Bedminster golf club owned by a former US president whose role in fueling the US Capitol riot remains under investigation by a House select committee. Controversy, but louder.

Trump sucked up the spotlight throughout the proceedings, consistently drawing the biggest crowds of the weekend as he watched the competition from a custom-built terrace along the 16th tee with a rotating cast of VIPs that on Sunday included Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson and far- right firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Majorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump
Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson and former US president Donald Trump watch Sunday’s final round. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA

The 54-hole, no-cut competition – absent of meaningful stakes with no meaningful history or world ranking points on the line – felt more like a soft launch for Trump’s 2024 presidential run than an authentic sporting experience. Never more than during Sunday’s final round as spontaneous chants of “Four more years!” and “Let’s go Brandon!” – a coded vulgarity among Trump supporters – resounded across the Old Course.

The renegade circuit has enticed some of the sport’s biggest names with exorbitant $25m purses and nine-figure signing-on fees. It has also drawn fierce backlash from critics who accuse the Saudi government of using sports to launder the kingdom’s dismal human rights record, alleged ties to the September 11 attacks, severe repression of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and the 2018 murder of the dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

But it doesn’t take a certified public accountant to understand why LIV Golf – despite the sparse crowds at Bedminster and its modest streaming audience in the absence of a TV deal – has continued to poach one household name after another from golf’s established tours. Consider Johnson, a two-time major champion who reportedly joined on a $150m signing fee, who has earned more than $5.2m in prize money in three LIV events so far. The splashy purses don’t stop at the top of the leaderboard, either. Australia’s Jediah Morgan, who finished 14-over-par for the weekend, a gaping 25 shots adrift of Stenson and in dead last, brought home $120,000 for his trouble from him. Nice work if you can get it.

LIV Golf is here to stay, it seems. Next stop: the Oaks course at the International outside Boston in September. But the strange scenes of Bedminster have only driven home just how far it has to go in order to win over its skeptics and bridge the divide of golf’s mounting civil war.