Ian Thorpe and Christian Miranda eliminated from The Amazing Race Australia after Thorpe struggles with injury during the Namibia leg of the competition.
Sunday night’s episode marked the ninth leg of The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition, and with it, the elimination of Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe and his childhood friend Christian Miranda. The pair bowed out of the competition after facing mounting challenges, particularly due to Thorpe’s ongoing battle with shin splints.
Thorpe had been grappling with the injury for several legs, persevering through tough physical tasks. However, as the race wore on, it became clear his condition was becoming a greater hindrance. Reflecting on their exit, Miranda noted,
“As the race went on, unfortunately Ian’s injuries were becoming more limiting. Having to navigate The Dome just wasn’t something he was going to be able to accomplish, and it was at this point that we knew our time was up, as much as we would have loved to have found a way to get through it.”
The episode saw contestants racing through the stunning landscapes of Namibia, where they stopped at Omandumba for an unusual local tradition: Bokdrol Spoeg, or dung spitting. Teams were tasked with collecting dried kudu dung pellets and spitting them into a stone circle before advancing. Thorpe and Miranda, having finished last in the previous leg, faced an additional Speed Bump challenge, requiring them to fill a container with dung before they could participate in the spitting task.
After completing the Speed Bump, teams faced a Detour offering a choice between two distinct challenges. In Weapons, they had to hit a target with a bow and arrow under the guidance of a local hunter. In Water, the alternative option, teams crafted a water carrier using an ostrich egg and traditional tools.
Next, the competitors headed to an animal research station, where they collaborated with conservationists to identify 10 different animals from early morning video footage. Finally, the teams had to race up the massive Dome boulder to retrieve their final clue, before heading to the Pit Stop at The Bridge, where host Beau Ryan was waiting.
Despite their best efforts, Thorpe and Miranda were unable to overcome the physical toll the race had taken. Their journey, however, was in support of ReachOut Australia, a mental health organisation that provides critical resources and support for young people. Speaking about their cause, Miranda shared,
“ReachOut Australia is a cause that is close to both of our hearts, having both navigated and supported one another through mental health issues over the years.
To bring awareness to such an impactful charity that is making support much more accessible to today’s youth is something I was very proud to be a part of.”
