Jemma Stapleton, Australian sprinter and Stawell Gift finalist, dies aged 25 on family holiday

Jemma Stapleton, a 25-year-old Australian sprinter and finalist in the 2025 Stawell Gift, died while on holiday overseas with her family. The cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed, but her brother stated on an online fundraising page that she "tragically lost her life in an accident." Stapleton was a notable figure in Victorian athletics, and several local athletics organizations have issued tributes following the news of her passing. Her participation in the Stawell Gift, a prestigious handicap footrace held annually in Stawell, Victoria, marked a significant achievement in her athletic career. The athletics community is mourning the loss of a promising young athlete.