Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Andy Holmes, one of rowing's greatest oarsmen, died last week after contracting the rare Weil's Disease.
Holmes was a pivotal member of the coxed four who won the first British Olympic rowing medal for 36 years at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. He went on to win another gold in 1988, this time in the coxed pairs - alongside Sir Steve Redgrave. Holmes inspired thousands of rowers with his success.
After taking time off from rowing in 1989 Holmes was lured back in 2007 and became director of two rowing clubs, coaching club and beginner groups and even returning to scull and row with friends.
Weil's Disease, also known as Leptospirosis, is an infection carried by many animals, particularly rats, that transmit the disease to water via bacteria passed in urine. It is an ongoing, if rare, threat to all water sport enthusiasts, that can usually be treated with antibiotics. In the early stages it can be mistaken for flu and in extreme cases can develop into jaundice, kidney and liver failure.
Items stored in warehouses are also at risk. It is suspected that Irish rugby player, Colm Flynn, also died from the bacteria after drinking a beverage directly from a bottle after it had been stored in a cellar.
After paying tribute to Holmes, Sir Steve, president of British Rowing, also issued a health warning to rowers to ensure they thoroughly clean any wounds and are watchful of any illnesses they contract. Popular establishments offering refreshments in bottles should do the same!
Who would have predicted that?
The football world, at least the lighter-hearted elements, mourned the demise of Paul, the psychic octopus this week. Housed at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany the cephalopod savant shot to fame during the 2010 World Cup when he correctly predicted the outcome of various matches, defeating various pretenders to his crown such as parrots and shrimps as they tried to hang on to his pace-setting tentacles.
His 100 per cent record spawned numerous commercial enterprises ranging from clothing to mobile phone applications, not to mention, allegedly, thousands of offspring as he went to 'stud'.
Rumours that he himself predicted his own demise by passing over a mussel containing a plastic box with an image depicting himself and his children floating in warm ocean currents in favour of one showing an image of a deep-fat fryer have also been revealed to be false.
