Aussie swim star hit by brother's death

Rising Australian swim star Meagen Nay was to bravely commence her FINA world
championship campaign on Sunday despite learning of her brother's death in a car
accident.
Nay's brother Amos, 28, was killed in an accident on Saturday morning (AEST) just
south of Tweed Heads on the Gold Coast.
The backstroker was given the tragic news by her coach Michael Bohl on Saturday, but
decided to contest the heats of the 4x100m freestyle relay on Sunday for the sake of
her teammates.
Nay's mother Karen, sisters Jess and Fiona, and step-father Peter Milburn have all
travelled from around the world to be in Rome to watch Meagen race.
The tragic circumstances are a bitter memory for the Nay family as her father
Robbie, a 1972 Olympic swimmer, was killed in a car accident on the Gold Coast in
1992.
Meagen Nay was just four years old at the time.
Australian head coach Alan Thompson addressed the team on Saturday evening prior to
the Dolphins starting their world titles campaign.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with Meagen during this difficult time," said
Thompson in a statement.
"We ask that everyone respects her privacy and that of her family at this time."
Nay is also entered in the individual 200m backstroke (Friday) and 200m freestyle
(Tuesday) at the world championships, along with the 4x200m freestyle relay
(Thursday).
An Australian team spokesman said he was unsure whether Nay would compete beyond
Sunday's heats.
"It is just unbelievable. Everyone is absolutely devastated," he said.
"She is going to swim this morning in the heats ... she is swimming for the team.
"The message from Meagen to Bohly to the team was she does not want a fuss. She just
wants to try and get through today.
"At this stage who knows what is going to happen after today?"
Nay finished seventh in the 200m backstroke at her international debut at the 2008
Olympic Games and was expected to challenge for the medals in Rome.