Former Australian sprinter Matt Shirvington sent shockwaves through the Sunrise panel with a surprise announcement: his return to compete in the Paris Olympics. However, the revelation turned out to be an elaborate April Fools’ joke, leaving his co-hosts and viewers in disbelief. Despite the prank, Shirvington’s humor and camaraderie shone through, showcasing his enduring spirit both on and off the track
It was an emotional morning for the Sunrise panel as Matt Shirvington dropped a bombshell. The former Australian sprinter announced he is “coming out of retirement” to compete in the Paris Olympics. However, what followed was a twist that left his co-hosts and viewers on the edge of disbelief.
Shirvington, 45, took his colleagues by surprise as he unveiled his seemingly serious plan during the live broadcast on Monday morning. “I’ve requested some time off, and I just wanted to let you guys know,” Shirvo told viewers, his tone somber, his words laden with gravity.
“About a month ago, a guy called Craig Pickering, who is the high-performance head coach of the Australian national relay team, reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in making a comeback to the Australian team,” Shirvo disclosed, recounting the moment that purportedly sparked his decision.
Shirvington, who last competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, confessed that the call-up took him by surprise but ultimately swayed his decision. “I have been retired for over 15 years, so for me, it was a massive decision,” he confessed.
The twist? It was all an elaborate April Fools’ Day joke.
As his co-hosts, particularly Natalie Barr, struggled to comprehend the sudden turn of events, Shirvo couldn’t contain his laughter. “April Fool’s everybody! — Oh my god, I couldn’t roll down the track right now,” he admitted, his infectious chuckle reverberating through the studio.
Despite the prank, Shirvington didn’t miss the opportunity to express his admiration for Australia’s current sprinting talent. “Can I apologize to all the amazing sprinters we have in this country?” he earnestly stated. “To think, they would have to ask me to come out of retirement to be part of the team.”
For Shirvington, the prank was a playful nod to his decorated athletic past. Having competed at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Shirvo’s legacy in Australian sprinting remains indelible. His journey from the track to the Sunrise studio has been one marked by resilience and humor, traits he showcased yet again on this memorable April morning.
Away from the limelight, Shirvington maintains his fitness regimen, utilizing a medicine ball stowed in his car to squeeze in workouts amidst his busy schedule. “It’s cathartic putting on the headphones and working out,” Shirvo shared in a previous interview. “It gives you an all-over body circuit.”
As the Sunrise panel regains composure and the studio echoes with laughter, it’s clear that while Shirvo’s Olympic dreams may be confined to jest, his spirit of camaraderie and humor endures, captivating audiences both on and off the track.
