Olympic swimmer Leisel Jones has taken to Instagram to reveal she doesn’t feel sad over the death of her dad, Les.
“Today my father passed away. If you have read Body Lengths, you would know that we were never close,” the 30-year-old explained alongside a photo of the pair when she was a baby.
Before adding: “This is one of the only photos I have. I haven’t spoken to him in 17 years but I don’t feel any anger or sadness.”
“If you are a Dad, please give your kids a big hug and accept them for who they are. Little girls in particular need a strong male figure in their life that have their back and can teach them things in life that only a dad can,” the raw post concluded.
Indeed, the gold medallist’s rift with her father has been well documents but in 2008, Les reportedly tried to reach out to Leisel after he was diagnosed with cancer.
“I need to tell Leisel: ‘Don’t let this go too far’ because I don’t know how much time I have left. I don’t want her to feel sorry for me,” the father of 11 begged.
“She will either bump me or make amends. She needs to speed up the procedure before it is too late.”
Leisel’s latest confession hasn’t come without criticism with some family members from Les’ side slamming her post.
“To speak of my uncle so disrespectfully after he has passed is truly appalling and just proves what an utterly disgusting excuse of a human you are.. You can swim, big whoop! You are using my uncles death to bring attention to yourself most likely in hopes to boost your fast declining social status.. You should be ashamed of yourself,” one Instagram user, who alleged to be related to her father, claimed.
“If you knew that over that time he attempted many times to make ammends [sic] but was. always denied. Despite the lie of no contact for 17 years there were text messages being shared only in last December. Let’s not get tangled in lies,” another apparent friend of her dad fumed.
They added: “Her father was a very beautiful person but she did not allow herself the honour that comes from knowing that what a poor situation she has put herself in. Poor and bitter leisel.”
Leisel’s latest confessions hasn’t come without criticism.
However many fans sympathised with the sports star and praised her for being so honest.
“Sorry to hear @leisel_jones hope you find peace and closure. Your mum did a fantastic job of both roles. Your book is great, honest and inspiring and I couldn’t put it down!,” One user wrote.
“My dad died before I was born, but I never felt a void. Cheers to having strong mamas!!,” Another added.
