The Olympics Starts Today... Kinda

OLYMPICS KICKS OFF
Well, we're finally here! The first events in the Paris Olympic Games kick off tonight! Stadiums are prepped restaurants are at the ready and the athletes and their fans are flocking to Paris! While we still have a few days to go until the Opening Ceremony some sports are getting a bit of a head start like football and rugby seven's tonight and archery and handball tomorrow. That's because they all need to share their playing fields with other sports so they need a bit more time to fit everything in. But when the Opening Ceremony does roll around on Friday it won't be in a stadium but instead on the newly cleaned Seine River! And there could be a few celebrity appearances too. Lady Gaga and Celine Dion have been spotted arriving in Paris and it sounds like Snoop Dogg is going to be an Olympic torch bearer for some reason. This year there'll be more than 460 Aussie athletes representing us across 42 Olympic sports. Oh and keep your eyes peeled for a few new events to the Games this year, kayak cross, kiteboarding, and the big one - breakdancing! Sounds like a busy few weeks ahead!
BABY RECESSION
If you've noticed there aren't as many babies around lately, well, you'd be right! Yep, the latest data shows Australia is in a baby recession, which basically means Aussies are having fewer babies. In fact, the national birth rate has dropped to its lowest level in almost two decades. And experts reckon a lot of it has to do with the cost of living crisis, because, well, kids can be pretty expensive!
ANDY MURRAY
British tennis legend Andy Murray has confirmed the Paris Olympic Games will be his final tournament. The 37-year-old former world number one made the announcement on X, saying he was "extremely proud" to represent Great Britain for one last time. Murray is a three-time grand slam champion, winning Wimbledon twice, as well as the 2012 US Open.
HEYWIRE
Now we're going to hear from Lexie who lives in Laverton, Western Australia. She's one of this year's winners of the ABC Heywire Competition which asks young people in rural areas to share their stories.
NOSE TYPING RECORD
First up, to Adelaide, where a world record attempt is underway. Yep, Omkar here is typing out the alphabet with his nose! He beat the record on his first go, but wanted to give it a few more tries, and lucky he did, he only got better with his 10th attempt coming in at 20.588 seconds! A whole 5 seconds faster than the current record of 25.66.
HARRY POTTER MISPRINT
Now to Texas where a mistake has made this rare copy of the first Harry Potter book extremely sought after. It's just hit the auction block where bidding's already reached 19 and a half thousand dollars.
NATIONAL PLOUGHING CONTEST
And finally to WA, about 300 kays south of Perth where the National Ploughing Contest has brought farmers from all over the country and even New Zealand to compete. It's one of the biggest events on the farming calendar with the winner earning themselves the right to compete at the World Ploughing Contest in Estonia next month.
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For the past 55 years, Behind the News has been helping to break down current issues and events for young people all around the world. The program is a high-energy, fun way for people to learn about the stories we see in the news while providing background information that isn’t usually given by other news bulletins.
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