Off Track ..... Australian turns tragedy to triumph

Australia's Olympic triathlon champion Emma Snowsill on Monday said she poured her "heart and soul" into the sport after being struck by tragedy early in her career.

Snowsill was just 19 when her boyfriend and fellow triathlete Luke Harrop was killed in a hit-and-run accident while bike training on Australia's Gold Coast.

Several years later, and wearing Australia's first triathlon gold medal, Snowsill said the loss had made her realize how lucky she was just to be alive and competing.