Ian Thorpe and Christian Miranda were eliminated from The Amazing Race Australia due to Thorpe’s injury in Namibia.
Sunday night’s episode marked the ninth leg of The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition, with Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe and childhood friend Christian Miranda eliminated. The pair faced mounting challenges, especially with Thorpe’s ongoing battle with shin splints, and withdrew from the competition.
Thorpe continued to endure grueling physical labor while battling several leg injuries. However, as the race progressed, it became clear that his condition was becoming a bigger hindrance. Reflecting on their departure, Miranda said:
“As the race progressed, unfortunately Ian’s injury became too much. Having to travel around the dome was not something he could achieve, and at this point we ran out of time. I realized, but as much as I wanted to find a way to get through it.”
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The episode saw the contestants race through the beautiful landscapes of Namibia, where they stopped in Omandumba to engage in an unusual local tradition: bokdrol spoegu, or poop spitting. The team was tasked with collecting dried kudu dung pellets and spitting them into a stone circle before moving forward. Thorpe and Miranda, who finished last in the previous leg, faced an additional speed bump challenge and had to fill a container with feces before taking part in a spitting task.
After completing the speed bump, the team faced a detour that forced them to choose between two different challenges. Weapons required shooting targets with bows and arrows under the guidance of local hunters. For the alternative option, ‘Water’, the team used ostrich eggs and traditional tools to create water carriers.
Next, the contestants headed to an animal research station where they worked with conservationists to identify 10 species from early morning video footage. Finally, the teams had to climb the giant dome rock to get the final clue before heading to the bridge pit stop where host Beau Ryan was waiting.
Despite their best efforts, Thorpe and Miranda were unable to overcome the physical strain the race brought them. But their journey was in support of ReachOut Australia, a mental health organization that provides vital resources and support to young people. Speaking about their cause, Miranda said:
“Reach Out Australia is a cause close to both of our hearts and we have supported each other through mental health challenges over the years.
Being able to bring awareness to such an impactful charity that makes support accessible to young people today made me so proud to be a part of it. ”
The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition airs on Monday nights at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play.
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