world swimming

Speedo swimwear controversy at swimming champs

"The Speedo swimsuit partly developed at Otago University is causing controversy at the European swimming championships. World records continue to fall in the build-up to the Beijing Olympics by swimmers wearing the Speedo LZR Racer suit. French swimming officials want a high level of debate over the suits, and are questioning whether they are providing buoyancy." (Via Speedo swimwear controversy at swimming champs | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz: .) Posted on 3/25/08; 10:13:56 AM, world swimming I | # |

Serbian Swimmer Suspended Over T-Shirt

"EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) %u2014 A Serb swimmer was suspended Friday for the remainder of the European swimming championships for wearing a T-shirt proclaiming 'Kosovo is Serbia' at a medal presentation ceremony. His team said it plans to appeal. A disciplinary panel meeting of the European swimming league, LEN, ruled the T-shirt worn by Milorad Cavic as he collected gold for the 50-meter butterfly on Wednesday 'constitutes a clear political action' that violated rules." (Via The Associated Press: Serbian Swimmer Suspended Over T-Shirt: .) Posted on 3/22/08; 1:28:24 PM, world swimming I | # |

Frenchman smashes world 100m freestyle record

"EINDHOVEN, Netherlands - Alain Bernard overturned the old order today when he bolted off with Pieter van den Hoogenband's 100m freestyle world record which had resisted all-comers for nearly eight years. Dutchman Van den Hoogenband had pulled out of the morning's heats due to illness but it was a shock for all at the Olympic champion's home pool when the 24-year-old Frenchman touched home at the end of his semifinal at the European Championships. He had carved nearly a quarter of a second from the 47.84 seconds world mark the Dutchman set in the semifinals of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 'This is a surprise for me. I wanted to do my best today and then go really fast tomorrow (in the final),' Bernard said." (Via Swimming: Frenchman smashes world 100m freestyle record - 22 Mar 2008 - nzherald: Sports news - New Zealand and International Sport news and results: .) Posted on 3/22/08; 1:25:32 PM, world swimming I | # |

Some Smack Talking From Craig Stevens on Eve of Open Water Event

" Oh, it’s on.  This Saturday Craig Stevens and Grant Hackett will both compete in the Australian 10KM Open at Penrith for one of the two spots alloted the Australians for the World Open Water Championships in Seville, in which the Top 10 get automatic berths to Beijing.  It appears that there has been some words being spit back and forth between the Open Water Swimmers and the Pool Swimmers (Hackett and Stevens) as Stevens claims that it’s going to be a ‘Us versus Them Mentality’ heading into Saturday, and is ready to test his mettle against the seasoned open water veterans. (more…) (Via NewsIsFree: Swimming Some Smack Talking From Craig Stevens on Eve of Open Water Event: .) Posted on 12/5/07; 12:02:42 AM, world swimming I | # |