Simon Smale
Simon Smale is an online sports reporter who specialises in covering a wide range of different sports.
He has been with the ABC since 2018 and, as well as reporting and blogging major events, is a regular contributor to ABC Radio, as well as commentating and hosting coverage of football and rugby union matches.
Simon covered the 2022 Winter Olympic Games from Beijing.
Prior to becoming a sports journalist, Simon worked on three different continents as a geologist.
Latest by Simon Smale
Analysis
analysis:From 's***' to Euro 2024 finalists, Gareth Southgate deflects criticism to lead the Three Lions towards glory
By Simon Smale
After deflecting poisonous criticism for England's style of play, Gareth Southgate answered his critics in the best possible way, as his team finally showed the flare their supporters demanded, combined with the grit that he has shown his whole career.
England through to Euro 2024 final after tense win over Netherlands
By Simon Smale
An injury-time winner from Ollie Watkins hands England a 2-1 European Championship semifinal victory over the Netherlands.
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Australia names largest-ever athletics team for a foreign Olympics ahead of Paris Games
By Simon Smale
Australia is sending a 75-strong athletics team to the Paris Olympics, second only to the team that contested the Sydney Games on home soil and including both men's and women's 4x100m teams for the first time in 24 years.
Jess Hull destroys Australian 1,500m record as world records tumble at Paris Diamond League
By Simon Smale
Jess Hull held onto the coat-tails of Faith Kipyegon to smash her previous best in a staggering performance just three weeks out from the Olympic Games.
'It is quite sick': Tour de France rider's eating issue acts as warning for others
By Simon Smale
Obsessed with being as light as possible, Tour de France cyclist Jonas Abrahamsen went to extreme lengths to stay skinny. He's since put on 20kg of weight and is cycling better than ever.
French cyclist fined for kissing his wife during TdF time trial
By Simon Smale with wires
French rider Julien Bernard was fined for "inappropriate behaviour" after waving to fans and stopping to kiss his wife during the stage seven Tour de France time trial as Remco Evenepoel showed off his pedigree with a stunning victory over race leader Tadej Pogačar.
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'What defines good enough?' Snubbed Hockeyroo Rosie Malone's heartbreaking message to teammates
By Simon Smale
Rosie Malone says she believes the Hockeyroos can medal at the Paris Olympic Games and wishes them well after being left out of the squad.
NRL Round-Up: 'Ugly' Storm get it done again and a UK legend flies around the world for his son's debut
By Simon Smale and Nick Campton
Former Great Britain player Leon Pryce and his family made the 17,000km trip to watch son Will score a try on debut for Newcastle, Nicho Hynes struggles continue and the Storm, somehow, still win. Here's this week's NRL Round-Up.
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Roosters star suffers suspected broken hand as tricolours dominate Wests Tigers
By Simon Smale
The Roosters' perfect performance against Wests Tigers was ruined only by a suspected broken hand suffered by Joey Manu. North Queensland stun Penrith and the Dragons beat the Dolphins.
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Maroons star out of State of Origin decider after limping off in Storm's win over Raiders
By Simon Smale
Queensland winger Xavier Coates is out of State of Origin III after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Storm's gritty 16-6 defeat of the Raiders.
Updated
'We ride on dynamite': A century on from the Tour de France's first doping scandal
By Simon Smale
In a small cafe in a nondescript French village during the 1924 Tour de France, a journalist fell upon the biggest scoop in cycling, when three Tour riders revealed what they were carrying in their bags to get them through the most daunting of races.
Sharks star told to ‘dust himself off’ after missed field-goal shot in golden-point defeat to Bulldogs
By Simon Smale
The Sharks had their chances to claim victory against the Bulldogs, who got home 15-14 on the back of Matt Burton's cool nerves during golden-point extra time.
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Familiar faces to contest historic Tour de France
By Simon Smale
The winners of the last four Tour de France races will once again lock horns in France's greatest annual sporting event, with Tadej Pogačar chasing history and Jonas Vingegaard hoping for a miraculous recovery from serious injury. Here's what you need to know.
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'We'll be playing for all of them': Injured teammates at the forefront of Australian Sevens team's minds
By Simon Smale
Ahead of the final squad being announced for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the World SVNS Series final-winning Australian women's sevens team is embracing a whole squad mentality to reclaim the gold medal.
Blues batter Queensland in dominant State of Origin display to set up deciding Game III
By Jon Healy and Simon Smale
NSW scores six tries in a record-breaking first half to set up a dominant victory over Queensland in State of Origin II and send the series to a decider.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:The USA has named its Olympic swimming team — and it's really good
By Simon Smale
Australia's swimmers laid down a marker at the Australian Swimming Trials in Brisbane, but in front of record crowds in Indianapolis, America's best have answered the call and, with a little extra incentive provided by a former Australian great, they are ready to go hard in Paris.
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NRL Round-Up: Cellar-dwellers hit a century and a familiar face is top of the pops
By Nick Campton, Simon Smale, and Jon Healy
The Titans and Tigers score more than 100 points, Souths continue their resurgence, and Jahrome Hughes might be the best player in the NRL. Here's this week's NRL Round-Up.
Warriors coach slams 'very embarrassing' capitulation against Titans, Roosters, Souths record wins
By Simon Smale
The Rabbitohs extended their winning streak to four NRL games by holding the Sea Eagles scoreless, the Roosters beat the Bulldogs, with both games taking place in shocking conditions, while the Titans smashed the pitiful Warriors 66-6.
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Regan Smith smashes Kaylee McKeown's 100m backstroke world record
By Simon Smale
Kaylee McKeown goes from hunted to hunter at Paris 2024 Games after Regan Smith smashes her 100m backstroke world record at the US Olympic Trials.
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'One of the best days of my life': Jess Fox's emotional week highlighted by sister Noemie's Olympic qualification
By Simon Smale
Jess Fox set another benchmark in paddle sport history by winning all three World Cup events, but it came at the end of an emotional rollercoaster of a week that saw incredible highs of Noemie's Olympic qualification, and the devastating lows of losing her grandfather.
From joy to agony: How a 'crazy' French swimmer put his Olympics hopes in jeopardy by celebrating
By Simon Smale
French swimmer Rafael Fente-Damers pulled out the swim of his life to qualify for his home Olympic Games, but now he'll have to wait on the results of scans after appearing to dislocate his shoulder celebrating.
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Youth and experience combine as Australia names largest gymnastics team for Paris 2024
By Simon Smale
Australia names its largest-ever gymnastics squad for the Paris Games, featuring the youngest Australian rhythmic gymnast in 40 years and the youngest male trampoline gymnast ever.
Melissa Wu named to record fifth Olympics team
By Simon Smale
Melissa Wu will become just the ninth diver to compete at five or more Olympic Games after being named in the Australia team for Paris 2024 on Monday.
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The soaring highs and crushing lows of the Australian Swimming Trials
By Simon Smale at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre
Strip away the dazzling lights, pounding music and enthralled crowds that have enjoyed the Australian Swimming Trials at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre and you’re left with something pretty stark: stories of personal tragedy, personal pain and personal glory.
Tributes flow for 'inspirational' Cate Campbell after Olympic Games bid ends
By Simon Smale at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre
Cate Campbell has put everything she had into swimming. After her career ended in heartbreak, her competitors showed her just how much she meant to them.
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