{
  "id": 3340033,
  "title": "How getting surf life saving into the Olympics could save lives",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/how-getting-surf-life-saving-into-the-olympics-could-save-lives",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T20:02:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/surf-life-saving-brisbane-olympics/107064172"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The addition of Surf Life Saving to the Brisbane Olympic Games could potentially save lives worldwide. Charlie Verco, a number one-seeded athlete in the upcoming Iron Series, believes that the skills learned through Surf Life Saving are essential in helping others in dangerous situations. Verco experienced this firsthand during the shark attack on Coogee Beach in Sydney, where he saved a shark attack victim, Leah Stewart. Verco and others in the Surf Life Saving community highlight the importance of ocean safety and the life-saving skills they have learned through their participation in the sport. The skills acquired through Surf Life Saving, such as quick decision-making and managing fear under pressure, can be applied in various real-life situations, making the sport not only a competitive endeavor but also a vital tool for saving lives.",
  "summary": "The top seed in this year's Iron Series, who made headlines by helping save a shark attack victim earlier this year at Coogee, says having surf life saving in the Brisbane Olympic Games would help raise the profile of the sport, and as a result, save lives.",
  "key_points": [
    "Surf Life Saving could save lives globally.",
    "Charlie Verco saved a shark attack victim.",
    "Skills from Surf Life Saving apply to real-life situations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "How getting surf life saving into the Olympics could save lives",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/how-getting-surf-life-saving-into-the-olympics-could-save-lives-3342040",
        "published": "2026-08-25T20:02:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}