Swimmer's Daily

  • The director of the World Anti-Doping Agency David Howman suggests that the collection and testing of backup “B” samples should be scrapped in order to save time and money in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs. “People can go to jail on the basis of one bodily sample being collected, and sport really is on its own in collecting two samples.”

    (more…)

  • China’s Sun Yang swam an impressive 3:41.48 in the 400 freestyle, today at the Chinese national championships in Wuhan. Only Thorpe has ever been faster in textile, from when he back in 2002 swam 3:40.08 in his trademark long-sleeved suit. And Sun is now only 0.13 seconds from Zhang Lin’s Chinese and Asian record of 3:41.35, from the days of the supersuits in 2009. Read more here on SwimNews.com.

    And by the way, exciting prediction here on the Speed Endurance Swimming Blog:

    The big question now is how close Sun Yang can get to Grant Hackett’s iconic World Record in the 1500 Free? Last year he missed the record by just 0.93 seconds. Today his 400 Free was 0.99 seconds faster than last year. There is a very real possibility that the 1500 WR will go this week.

  • Even the small ones have teeth :-)

  • The story yesterday was accordingly to Gold Medal Mel, that “Aussie Swimmers set to rewrite history in sprint freestyle”, describing how scary fast the 100 meter semi final was at the Australian Championships, with Matt Target posting best time 48.66, and Matthew Abood following in 48.69.


    Teenagers outshine swimming favourite by tvnportal

    Well, today two 19-year-olds whipped the older guys in the final, James Magnussen winning in 48.29, and James Roberts coming second with a 48.72. Magnussen’s time is the second fastest ever by an Australian in textile. If I’m not mistaken, they get to swim the 100 freestyle individual in Shanghai, while Sullivan (25), Targett (25) and maybe Abood (24) get to participate in the relays.

    Kudos to the young guns!

    Via SwimNews.com

  • Opinion on The ROAR …

    In case you might have not known, a huge event that will determine our national squad for a world championship has begun.

    Some of the best athletes in the world in this sport will take to a Sydney Sports Centre and most Australians wouldn’t have a clue.

    In case you don’t know what I’m talking about (you can be forgiven), the Australian Swimming Championships have begun. But thanks to the incompetence of Swimming Australia a few years ago, this event, once a huge part of Aussie sporting life, is off the radar.

    Read more here on theroar.com.au

  • FINA has updated its Rules and Regulations for the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2011 – 2013, drawing in particular attention to point 5.1 of Participation / Entries & Competition Format:

    5.1 Entries: Entries will be accepted only from National FINA Member Federations which must also enter a coach for each respective swimmer. The role of the coach is to represent the swimmer at the Technical Meeting, coach the swimmer during the practice, and most importantly, feed the swimmer during the event. The FINA Technical Delegate together with the Chief Referee will accept entries and register only swimmers accompanied by the respective coach who is in charge of swimmer recognition during the race. A swimmer without a coach present will not be allowed to start the race.

  • Kylie Palmer knocked out the national record in the women’s 200 free today at the Australian Long Course Nationals, in a touch-out triumph over now-former record holder Bronte Barratt, 1:55.73 to 1:55.74. Both swimmers eclipsed Barratt’s 2008 record of 1:56.60 also matched by Stephanie Rice in 2008. The quality was sky-high in Sydney, with Palmer and Barratt posting best and second best time this year, 4 other Aussies under 1:58, and all 8 finalists under 2 minutes. Via SwimmingWorld Magazine, results here.

  • Sun Xiaolei twice lowered the national record in the men’s 50 back at the Chinese Long Course Nationals in Wuhan today, first to a 25.12 in prelims, and then with a victorious time of 25.02 in the finale. Read more here on SwimmingWorld Magazine.

  • At the Spanish Open today, Mireia Belmonte García completed what was a strong meet with a national record time of 2:10.26 in the 200 IM, behind only Australia’s Alicia Coutts’ 2:10.06 and China’s 14-year-old Ye Shiwen’s 2:10.11 this year. And in the 400 free, Melanie Costa Schmid downed the Spanish record with a 4:07.09, moving into 11th place in the world rankings this year. Via SwimmingWorld Magazine and SwimNews.com