Nova Peris labels Cathy Freeman 'so so dumb': report
Under fire Senator Nova Peris has been accused of labelling fellow Australian Olympian Cathy Freeman 'so so dumb' amid sex scandal claims.
NewsCorp has published a string of private emails in which it is alleged Peris sought taxpayer funds to help carry on an extra-marital affair with Olympic medallist from Trinidad and Tobago Ato Boldon - claims the pair have flatly denied.
In the series of apparent emails, sent in 2010 before she entered politics, Peris allegedly slammed her 4x400 metre track-and-field teammate from the Sydney Olympics.
"Like Freeman here, she is so so dumb (sad but true) and has a national profile of running fast achieving awesome things but seriously can't talk for shit, and has zero communication skills," she allegedly wrote.
Less than two weeks ago, the pair were photographed together at a function, the Long Walk 2014 luncheon, in Melbourne on October 17.
Senator Peris tweeted: 'With good friend @Cathyfreeman at #thelongwalk women's luncheon - celebrating 10 years. #walkthewalk #Standup #auspol'.
With good friend @cathyfreeman at #thelongwalk women's luncheon - celebrating 10 years. #walkthetalk #StandUp #auspoI pic.twitter.com/Rw1EQghehB
— Senator Nova Peris (@NovaPeris) October 17, 2014
Senator Peris, an Olympic gold medallist and former Young Australian of the Year, reportedly approached Athletics Australia and others sources for money to pay for the Boldon's 2010 trip to Australia.
The explicit emails reportedly sent to the sprint star show the pair was having an affair at the time.
Senator Peris, who joined parliament last year, says she will not comment on private matters.
"I categorically reject any wrongdoing," she said in a statement.
"Documents provided to the NT News are private. It appears they were not lawfully obtained by a third party."
Mr Boldon said the reports include "gross fabrications".
In a statement released on Twitter, he says he will be "pursuing all legal action possible for this malicious misrepresentation of the details surrounding my presence in Australia in 2010".
He says Senator Peris, who joined parliament last year, was a former training partner and a friend of almost 20 years.
"My last trip to Australia almost five years ago was for the purpose of holding several youth clinics, and it was a successful undertaking. The trip was co-organised by one of my now-deceased colleagues at Athletics Australia."
Morning news break - October 29
