Australian swims with heavy heart after brother killed in car wreck on eve of worlds

Australian swimmer’s brother killed in wreck

ROME — Australia’s Meagen Nay will return home from the world swimming championships following the death of her brother in a car crash.

Twenty-eight-year-old Amos Nay died Saturday on the Gold Coast in Queensland state. The news was relayed to his sister in Rome before she swam in the preliminaries of the 4×100-meter relay on Sunday, helping the Australian team qualify third-fastest.

She did not compete in the relay final later Sunday, when Australia also finished third.

Australian media reported Monday that Nay would return to Australia, taking no part in any of her scheduled events later this week: the 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 4×200 freestyle relay.

“Obviously, everyone is devastated at the news,” said Ian Hanson, a spokesman for Swim Australia.

Her father, 1972 Olympic swimmer Robert Nay, was killed in a car accident in 1992 when his daughter was 4. Meagen’s mother was in Rome for the championships, along with her stepfather.

“She is extremely heartbroken,” said Olympic champion Stephanie Rice, who is one Nay’s training partners in Brisbane.

Australian head coach Alan Thompson delivered the news to the entire team at a meeting Saturday night.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Meagen during this difficult time,” Thompson in a statement.