At least 57 swimmers have reported having suffered from diarrhoea and sickness after competing in sea swimming events at the ongoing World Triathlon Championship in Sunderland, the health officials confirmed this weekend. Around 2000 people participated in this event. As per a report in The Guardian, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed it would test samples collected from those affected to determine the cause of illness.

The reports suggest, on Wednesday, July 26, three days before the start of the event, an Environment Agency sampling at Roker Beach showed shocking results - 3900 E Coli colonies per 100ml (a bacterial infection that causes stomach pain and bloody diarrhoea), which is 39 times higher than usual readings the previous month.

However, the British Triathlon – the apex body for triathlons in Great Britain revealed those sample readings were not published until after the weekend’s events and were outside of the competition area. They added the testing results passed the required standards for the event.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/four-time-olympic-champion-simone-biles-makes-triumphant-return-to-gymnastics-at-us-classic-622774">Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles makes triumphant return to gymnastics at US Classic</a>

Meanwhile, the event took place on a stretch of coastline, which had previously made headlines for a long-running battle over sewage discharges between campaigners and the government concerning regulatory failures.&nbsp;

The Northumbrian Water has insisted not to record any sewage discharge, which might have affected water quality at the beach since October 2021. 
 
An Australiana athlete, Jacob Birtwhistle, 28, on his Instagram handle, complained about feeling unwell following the swimming event, suggesting this event should have been cancelled in the first place.

He wrote, “Have been feeling pretty rubbish since the race, but I guess that’s what happens when you swim in shit. The swim should have been cancelled.”

Another athlete replied to the post, saying, “At least I know what got me and a bunch of other athletes who raced sick and ill.” Adding, their fellow athlete also wrote, “That now explains why I spent Monday night with my head in the toilet after racing Sunday morning!”

<h2>Probe initiated</h2>

Meanwhile, the British Triathlon said they are working closely with Sunderland city council and the UKHSA to determine the cause of this spreading sickness.&nbsp;

The UKHSA, in its response said, “UKHSA is working with British Triathlon to encourage anyone who participated and has or had symptoms after the event to contact the organisers, who will then pass details onto the UKHSA North East Protection team. The team will undertake an investigation of cases.”&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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At least 57 swimmers have reported having suffered from diarrhoea and sickness after competing in sea swimming events at the ongoing World Triathlon Championship in Sunderland, the health officials confirmed this weekend.

At least 57 swimmers have reported having suffered from diarrhoea and sickness after competing in sea swimming events at the ongoing World Triathlon Championship in Sunderland, the health officials confirmed this weekend. Around 2000 people participated in this event. As per a report in The Guardian, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed it would test samples collected from those affected to determine the cause of illness. The reports suggest, on Wednesday, July 26, three days before the start of the event, an Environment Agency sampling at Roker Beach showed shocking results - 3900 E Coli colonies per 100ml (a bacterial infection that causes stomach pain and bloody diarrhoea), which is 39 times higher than usual readings the previous month. However, the British Triathlon – the apex body for triathlons in Great Britain revealed those sample readings were not published until after the weekend’s events and were outside of the competition area. They added the testing results passed the required standards for the event. ALSO READ: Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles makes triumphant return to gymnastics at US Classic Meanwhile, the event took place on a stretch of coastline, which had previously made headlines for a long-running battle over sewage discharges between campaigners and the government concerning regulatory failures. The Northumbrian Water has insisted not to record any sewage discharge, which might have affected water quality at the beach since October 2021. An Australiana athlete, Jacob Birtwhistle, 28, on his Instagram handle, complained about feeling unwell following the swimming event, suggesting this event should have been cancelled in the first place. He wrote, “Have been feeling pretty rubbish since the race, but I guess that’s what happens when you swim in shit. The swim should have been cancelled.” Another athlete replied to the post, saying, “At least I know what got me and a bunch of other athletes who raced sick and ill.” Adding, their fellow athlete also wrote, “That now explains why I spent Monday night with my head in the toilet after racing Sunday morning!” Probe initiated Meanwhile, the British Triathlon said they are working closely with Sunderland city council and the UKHSA to determine the cause of this spreading sickness. The UKHSA, in its response said, “UKHSA is working with British Triathlon to encourage anyone who participated and has or had symptoms after the event to contact the organisers, who will then pass details onto the UKHSA North East Protection team. The team will undertake an investigation of cases.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK: 57 swimmers down with diarrhoea at World Triathlon Championship in Sunderland, probe initiated

Baking cookies or decorating gingerbread houses or watching a Christmas movie, people from around the world have various Christmas traditions but in Geneva, there's a quirky one and that is jumping into a freezing lake just to stand a chance to win the glimmering Christmas cup.

4000 swimmers take part in the Christmas tradition, assemble despite freezing temperatures

Hundreds of swimmers braved the freezing waters of Prague's Vltava River in honour of winter swimming pioneer Alfred Nikodem. 360 participants from eight different countries took part in the 100, 300 and 750 meter distances categories.

Hundreds of swimmers braved the freezing waters for annual competition

Swimming Australia has already started making a 'Plan B' just in case the Tokyo Games get cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. As per Kieren Perkins, who is the President of Swimming Australia, the team has started discussions about a replacement domestic or virtual international competition for its athletes.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ioc-reacts-to-reports-of-tokyo-olympics-getting-cancelled-says-it-is-categorically-untrue-358581" hreflang="en">IOC reacts to reports of Tokyo Olympics getting cancelled, says it is 'categorically untrue'</a>

Former Aussie gold-medalist Perkins said that he had a "little moment of panic" on Friday after reports emerged that the Japanese government privately concluded the Games would have to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Suga government issued a clarification and said that the Games will go ahead as planned.&nbsp;

"If the worst happens and Tokyo is cancelled, for our athletes who have had the opportunity to prepare and work so hard for so long to get to this moment, I think it behoves us to give them the best chance to at least test themselves and see what that work has created," he told the Australian newspaper.

"We are preparing on the basis that this is happening so our swimmers will be ready, our trials are going ahead. If the Games themselves are cancelled, what can we do to take advantage of the fact that our athletes are ready?

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-cancelled-japanese-government-issues-clarification-358428" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Japanese government issues clarification</a>

"It is an open question ... whether we run our own meet or maybe we could do a virtual meet with some of our major competition. It is an open question mark at the moment, but we will prepare and have alternate plans."

Twice Olympic sprint relay champion Cate Campbell told the paper she thought it was a "wonderful idea", even if she desperately wanted to swim at her fourth Olympics in Tokyo.

"I think one of the benefits of having an ex-athlete as our current president is that he thinks of things like that," said the 28-year-old.

"Will it be the same? Absolutely not. But it is something worth exploring and asking athletes if it is something they would like to do, absolutely."

The Games are scheduled to be played between July and August this year.&nbsp;

(Inputs from Reuters)

Swimming Australia has already started making a 'Plan B' just in case the Tokyo Games get cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. As per Kieren Perkins, who is the President of Swimming Australia, the team has started discussions about a replacement domestic or virtual international competition for its athletes.

Swimming Australia has already started making a 'Plan B' just in case the Tokyo Games get cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. As per Kieren Perkins, who is the President of Swimming Australia, the team has started discussions about a replacement domestic or virtual international competition for its athletes. ALSO READ: IOC reacts to reports of Tokyo Olympics getting cancelled, says it is 'categorically untrue' Former Aussie gold-medalist Perkins said that he had a "little moment of panic" on Friday after reports emerged that the Japanese government privately concluded the Games would have to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Suga government issued a clarification and said that the Games will go ahead as planned. "If the worst happens and Tokyo is cancelled, for our athletes who have had the opportunity to prepare and work so hard for so long to get to this moment, I think it behoves us to give them the best chance to at least test themselves and see what that work has created," he told the Australian newspaper. "We are preparing on the basis that this is happening so our swimmers will be ready, our trials are going ahead. If the Games themselves are cancelled, what can we do to take advantage of the fact that our athletes are ready? ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Japanese government issues clarification "It is an open question ... whether we run our own meet or maybe we could do a virtual meet with some of our major competition. It is an open question mark at the moment, but we will prepare and have alternate plans." Twice Olympic sprint relay champion Cate Campbell told the paper she thought it was a "wonderful idea", even if she desperately wanted to swim at her fourth Olympics in Tokyo. "I think one of the benefits of having an ex-athlete as our current president is that he thinks of things like that," said the 28-year-old. "Will it be the same? Absolutely not. But it is something worth exploring and asking athletes if it is something they would like to do, absolutely." The Games are scheduled to be played between July and August this year. (Inputs from Reuters)

'If the worst happens': Swimming Australia eyes Plan B in case of Tokyo cancellation

Britain's Adam Peaty became the first male swimmer to capture three 100 metres breaststroke world titles Monday, completing his golden treble in dominant fashion.

The 24-year-old, unbeaten in five years over the distance in major competitions, clocked 57.14 seconds in Gwangju, a day after smashing his own world record by ducking under 57 seconds -- also a first.

Peaty previously shared the record of two 100m breaststroke world titles with American Brendan Hansen and Hungary's Norbert Rozsa.

He also became the first man to bag five world championship medals in breaststroke events.

Peaty burst from the blocks once again, turning just inside world record pace and leaving his rivals scrapping for the silver and bronze.

Fellow Englishman James Wilby emerged with the silver with a time of 58.46 with China's Yan Zibei taking bronze in an Asian record of 58.63.

Peaty, who set a new world best of 56.88 at the weekend, puffed out his cheeks and gave a wry smile after looking up at the giant screen to see he had just missed out.

The tattooed pin-up is also looking to complete a 50m world treble this week when he could take down another of his world records.

Peaty has dominated both distances in recent years, setting the 15 best times in the 100m breaststroke.

Britain's Adam Peaty became the first male swimmer to capture three 100 metres breaststroke world titles Monday, completing his golden treble in dominant fashion.

Britain's Adam Peaty became the first male swimmer to capture three 100 metres breaststroke world titles Monday, completing his golden treble in dominant fashion. The 24-year-old, unbeaten in five years over the distance in major competitions, clocked 57.14 seconds in Gwangju, a day after smashing his own world record by ducking under 57 seconds -- also a first. Peaty previously shared the record of two 100m breaststroke world titles with American Brendan Hansen and Hungary's Norbert Rozsa. He also became the first man to bag five world championship medals in breaststroke events. Peaty burst from the blocks once again, turning just inside world record pace and leaving his rivals scrapping for the silver and bronze. Fellow Englishman James Wilby emerged with the silver with a time of 58.46 with China's Yan Zibei taking bronze in an Asian record of 58.63. Peaty, who set a new world best of 56.88 at the weekend, puffed out his cheeks and gave a wry smile after looking up at the giant screen to see he had just missed out. The tattooed pin-up is also looking to complete a 50m world treble this week when he could take down another of his world records. Peaty has dominated both distances in recent years, setting the 15 best times in the 100m breaststroke.

Britain's Adam Peaty completes world treble in men's 100m breaststroke

World championship swimmers slammed China's Sun Yang over lurid doping allegations and said competitors were firmly behind Australia's Mack Horton, who snubbed the Olympic star on the podium.

America's Matt Grevers said many competitors "don't trust" Sun, while world record-holder Lilly King said athletes "erupted in applause" after Horton refused to join his rival on the podium for photos after the 400 metres freestyle medals ceremony.

Triple Olympic champion Sun is facing allegations, outlined in a leaked FINA doping panel report, that he smashed vials of blood with a hammer when testers visited him last year.

FINA cleared Sun to compete but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), putting the swimmer's career on the line.

If Sun is found guilty of a doping violation, he could face a lifetime ban after serving a three-month suspension in 2014 for taking a banned stimulant he claimed was for a heart problem.

Grevers, along with King and several other swimmers, praised Australian Mack Horton for his "risky" protest on Sunday after finishing second behind Sun in the 400m freestyle final in Gwangju, South Korea.

"We don't know if there's going to be penalties or sanctions against him (Horton) but I think he knew there were risks and felt strongly enough to still do it," said the American backstroker.

"It's obviously something he feels passionate about. I don't feel like it really hurt Sun Yang. It's just to let him know that it was a weird incident and until it gets uncovered, we don't really trust you."

Australian Mitch Larkin also backed the stand of his team-mate Horton, who called Sun a "drug cheat" before beating him at the 2016 Rio Olympics -- two years after his Chinese rival tested positive for the banned stimulant.

"I'm super-proud of Mack," said Larkin after the morning's 100m backstroke heats.

"The whole Aussie team backs him 100 percent," added the former world champion.

"I think 99 percent of athletes around the pool deck back him, so he's not really standing alone. What he did was certainly brave and gutsy and I have a lot of respect for him for doing that."

'Pretty baller'

Asked if he felt confident he would be competing in clean races in South Korea this week, Larkin shrugged: "You can never be confident -- I know I'm a clean athlete and do everything I can, so I just have to trust that's enough."

Olympic breaststroke champion King, one of swimming's most outspoken athletes, revealed that swimmers at the village had applauded Horton's protest after the medal ceremony, which triggered boos from Chinese fans and prompted Sun to criticise the Aussie for being "disrespectful to China."

"Pretty baller, honestly," the American said of Horton's actions.

"It was awesome. Actually when he walked into the dining hall after us, the whole dining hall erupted in applause so it was pretty good to see the athletes united on his stance as well."

Only last week, King hit out at swimming's governing body over its doping protocols, describing the details of Sun's alleged doping violation as "sketchy" and calling for more to be done to beat the drug cheats.

"I don't think anyone in FINA is going to stand up for the athletes," fumed King, who let rip at rival Yulia Efimova at the Rio Olympics over the Russian's previous 16-month doping ban.&nbsp;

"The athletes have to stand up for themselves, so I think it's definitely a start if these guys are taking a stand against doping."

On Sunday, Sun hit out at Horton over his podium protest, saying the Australian should have shown more respect.

"Not everyone likes me -- I don't care," said Sun, when asked about Horton's snub.

"It's OK if you don't respect me personally, but at the victory ceremony -- which is a sincere occasion -- you should show respect to my country."

World championship swimmers slammed China's Sun Yang over lurid doping allegations and said competitors were firmly behind Australia's Mack Horton, who snubbed the Olympic star on the podium.

World championship swimmers slammed China's Sun Yang over lurid doping allegations and said competitors were firmly behind Australia's Mack Horton, who snubbed the Olympic star on the podium. America's Matt Grevers said many competitors "don't trust" Sun, while world record-holder Lilly King said athletes "erupted in applause" after Horton refused to join his rival on the podium for photos after the 400 metres freestyle medals ceremony. Triple Olympic champion Sun is facing allegations, outlined in a leaked FINA doping panel report, that he smashed vials of blood with a hammer when testers visited him last year. FINA cleared Sun to compete but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), putting the swimmer's career on the line. If Sun is found guilty of a doping violation, he could face a lifetime ban after serving a three-month suspension in 2014 for taking a banned stimulant he claimed was for a heart problem. Grevers, along with King and several other swimmers, praised Australian Mack Horton for his "risky" protest on Sunday after finishing second behind Sun in the 400m freestyle final in Gwangju, South Korea. "We don't know if there's going to be penalties or sanctions against him (Horton) but I think he knew there were risks and felt strongly enough to still do it," said the American backstroker. "It's obviously something he feels passionate about. I don't feel like it really hurt Sun Yang. It's just to let him know that it was a weird incident and until it gets uncovered, we don't really trust you." Australian Mitch Larkin also backed the stand of his team-mate Horton, who called Sun a "drug cheat" before beating him at the 2016 Rio Olympics -- two years after his Chinese rival tested positive for the banned stimulant. "I'm super-proud of Mack," said Larkin after the morning's 100m backstroke heats. "The whole Aussie team backs him 100 percent," added the former world champion. "I think 99 percent of athletes around the pool deck back him, so he's not really standing alone. What he did was certainly brave and gutsy and I have a lot of respect for him for doing that." 'Pretty baller' Asked if he felt confident he would be competing in clean races in South Korea this week, Larkin shrugged: "You can never be confident -- I know I'm a clean athlete and do everything I can, so I just have to trust that's enough." Olympic breaststroke champion King, one of swimming's most outspoken athletes, revealed that swimmers at the village had applauded Horton's protest after the medal ceremony, which triggered boos from Chinese fans and prompted Sun to criticise the Aussie for being "disrespectful to China." "Pretty baller, honestly," the American said of Horton's actions. "It was awesome. Actually when he walked into the dining hall after us, the whole dining hall erupted in applause so it was pretty good to see the athletes united on his stance as well." Only last week, King hit out at swimming's governing body over its doping protocols, describing the details of Sun's alleged doping violation as "sketchy" and calling for more to be done to beat the drug cheats. "I don't think anyone in FINA is going to stand up for the athletes," fumed King, who let rip at rival Yulia Efimova at the Rio Olympics over the Russian's previous 16-month doping ban. "The athletes have to stand up for themselves, so I think it's definitely a start if these guys are taking a stand against doping." On Sunday, Sun hit out at Horton over his podium protest, saying the Australian should have shown more respect. "Not everyone likes me -- I don't care," said Sun, when asked about Horton's snub. "It's OK if you don't respect me personally, but at the victory ceremony -- which is a sincere occasion -- you should show respect to my country."

Swimmers 'don't trust' Sun Yang as doping row boils over

A video footage captured by a drone on the Miami beach saw people swimming extremely close to a tiger shark, on Friday.&nbsp;

It is likely that the swimmers were unaware of the presence of the massive animal who was just a few feet away, as they seem unfazed and continued swimming.&nbsp;

The owner of the footage, filmed the video early morning and saw a shadow like&nbsp;thing in the water, which he later thought to be a tiger shark after noticing the stripes on its body.&nbsp;

According to the owner, the size of the shark was about 7 to 9 feet, who also seemed to be unaware of the swimmers in the water.&nbsp;

It is likely that the swimmers were unaware of the presence of the massive animal just a few feet away, as they seem unfazed and continued swimming.?

A video footage captured by a drone on the Miami beach saw people swimming extremely close to a tiger shark, on Friday. It is likely that the swimmers were unaware of the presence of the massive animal who was just a few feet away, as they seem unfazed and continued swimming. The owner of the footage, filmed the video early morning and saw a shadow like thing in the water, which he later thought to be a tiger shark after noticing the stripes on its body. According to the owner, the size of the shark was about 7 to 9 feet, who also seemed to be unaware of the swimmers in the water.

WATCH: Drone captures close shark encounters on Miami Beach

Allegations that star US swimmer Ryan Lochte invented a story about him and three team mates being mugged at gunpoint in Rio strengthened Thursday with video footage showing them in a gas station altercation. 
 
The controversy took a dramatic new twist after the leaking of security camera footage from a gas station on Brazil&#39;s Globo television. This came hours after two of the swimmers were hauled off a plane about to leave Rio de Janeiro for the United States and taken in for questioning. 
 
The video footage appears to support police accusations that the medal-winning swimmers vandalized a gas station bathroom where they had stopped off after all-night partying. They were then detained by a security guard. 
 
The four swimmers are seen in the video getting out of a taxi after a man identified as the security guard approaches. Later they are seen being made to sit on the ground. 
 
Brazil&#39;s G1 site quoted police saying the athletes broke the gas station&#39;s bathroom door and started a confrontation with the armed security guard, who pulled out his weapon and made them wait for police to arrive. 
 
This version of events is a far cry from 32-year-old Lochte&#39;s claims. 
 
The swimmer, one of the most visible faces of the Olympics and winner of six gold medals, told media that the four had been robbed at gunpoint by a man claiming to be a policeman. 
 
His report caused the Olympic authorities huge embarrassment, highlighting security worries at an Olympics where Brazil has deployed 85,000 police and soldiers -- double the number used in the 2012 London Games. 
 
However, the authorities soon raised doubts over the veracity of the allegation and the swimmers could face charges of filing a false claim with police. 
 
A judge on Wednesday ordered the swimmers to be detained and their passports confiscated. 
 
Lochte had already flown back to the United States. However, two other athletes -- Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz -- were removed by police from a plane just about to take off late Wednesday. 
 
The fourth, James Feigen, was also still in Brazil. 
 
&quot;The three US Olympic swimmers... are cooperating with authorities and in the process of scheduling a time and place today to provide further statements to the Brazilian authorities,&quot; said Patrick Sandusky, spokesman for the US Olympic Committee. 
 
- International scandal - 
The scandal overshadowed sporting action in the second week of South America&#39;s first Olympics, coming simultaneously with the arrest in Rio of IOC member Patrick Hickey on allegations of taking part in a black market ticket ring. 
 
Hickey, who fell ill during his arrest Wednesday, was expected to face interrogation once he is released from hospital. 
 
Lochte&#39;s harrowing story got worldwide attention and touched a nerve in Rio, where violent crime is common. 
 
In addition to multiple incidents of thefts from Olympic athletes and media, a Portuguese government minister was mugged in the swish Leblon district. 
 
On Thursday, British Olympic officials confirmed that an athlete had been robbed while returning to the Olympic Village, but was &quot;safe and well.&quot; 
 
The Guardian newspaper reported that British athletes had been warned not to leave the village complex for their safety. 
 
Lochte&#39;s story was particularly alarming because it supposedly involved police or someone claiming to be police. 
 
He described in detail how the assailant had a gun put to his forehead after the swimmers&#39; taxi was pulled over by criminals who forced them to lie on the ground and stole money and other items. 
 
&quot;The guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, &#39;Get down,&#39;&quot; Lochte recopunted. &quot;He took our money, he took my wallet -- he left my cell phone, he left my credentials.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The video footage appears to support police accusations that the swimmers vandalised a gas station bathroom that night

Allegations that star US swimmer Ryan Lochte invented a story about him and three team mates being mugged at gunpoint in Rio strengthened Thursday with video footage showing them in a gas station altercation. The controversy took a dramatic new twist after the leaking of security camera footage from a gas station on Brazil's Globo television. This came hours after two of the swimmers were hauled off a plane about to leave Rio de Janeiro for the United States and taken in for questioning. The video footage appears to support police accusations that the medal-winning swimmers vandalized a gas station bathroom where they had stopped off after all-night partying. They were then detained by a security guard. The four swimmers are seen in the video getting out of a taxi after a man identified as the security guard approaches. Later they are seen being made to sit on the ground. Brazil's G1 site quoted police saying the athletes broke the gas station's bathroom door and started a confrontation with the armed security guard, who pulled out his weapon and made them wait for police to arrive. This version of events is a far cry from 32-year-old Lochte's claims. The swimmer, one of the most visible faces of the Olympics and winner of six gold medals, told media that the four had been robbed at gunpoint by a man claiming to be a policeman. His report caused the Olympic authorities huge embarrassment, highlighting security worries at an Olympics where Brazil has deployed 85,000 police and soldiers -- double the number used in the 2012 London Games. However, the authorities soon raised doubts over the veracity of the allegation and the swimmers could face charges of filing a false claim with police. A judge on Wednesday ordered the swimmers to be detained and their passports confiscated. Lochte had already flown back to the United States. However, two other athletes -- Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz -- were removed by police from a plane just about to take off late Wednesday. The fourth, James Feigen, was also still in Brazil. "The three US Olympic swimmers... are cooperating with authorities and in the process of scheduling a time and place today to provide further statements to the Brazilian authorities," said Patrick Sandusky, spokesman for the US Olympic Committee. - International scandal - The scandal overshadowed sporting action in the second week of South America's first Olympics, coming simultaneously with the arrest in Rio of IOC member Patrick Hickey on allegations of taking part in a black market ticket ring. Hickey, who fell ill during his arrest Wednesday, was expected to face interrogation once he is released from hospital. Lochte's harrowing story got worldwide attention and touched a nerve in Rio, where violent crime is common. In addition to multiple incidents of thefts from Olympic athletes and media, a Portuguese government minister was mugged in the swish Leblon district. On Thursday, British Olympic officials confirmed that an athlete had been robbed while returning to the Olympic Village, but was "safe and well." The Guardian newspaper reported that British athletes had been warned not to leave the village complex for their safety. Lochte's story was particularly alarming because it supposedly involved police or someone claiming to be police. He described in detail how the assailant had a gun put to his forehead after the swimmers' taxi was pulled over by criminals who forced them to lie on the ground and stole money and other items. "The guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, 'Get down,'" Lochte recopunted. "He took our money, he took my wallet -- he left my cell phone, he left my credentials." (AFP)

Video undermines US Olympic swimmers' 'mugging' story

The most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, on Sunday (August 14) said he reacted with disbelief when he heard his teammate Ryan Lochte had been involved in a taxi hold-up in Rio de Janeiro and confirmed to reporters that he was not present when the incident took place. 
 
US gold medalist Lochte said armed robbers posing as police officers held a gun to his forehead in a taxi hold-up in Rio after a party early on Sunday. 
 
&quot;For me I&#39;ve been to Brazil multiple times and I&#39;ve felt safe every time I&#39;ve come here. I&#39;ve never felt an issue. I wasn&#39;t there last night, I was with my family all night long, that was the most important thing to me,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;But I was definitely not there last night, I was dead asleep,&quot; added Phelps. 
 
Lochte told NBC&#39;s Today Show he was returning to the Olympic village from a party hosted by the French Games delegation, with swimming team mates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen, when armed men carrying police badges pulled them over. 
 
The men told the swimmers to drop to the ground and demanded their money and belongings, but Lochte said he had initially refused to go to ground. 
 
Security has been a major headache for organisers of South America&#39;s first Olympics. 
 
&quot;I kind of said excuse me, I couldn&#39;t believe it,&quot; recalled Phelps about when he heard about the robbery on Sunday. 
 
Separately, Phelps also called for tougher action on athletes who take performance enhancing drugs, weighing in on the doping controversies that have plagued Rio 2016. 
 
&quot;We have kids looking up to these athletes that are competing and I feel like all athletes should keep clean and if you don&#39;t, there should be a price, he said. 
 
Phelp&#39;s said he left the Olympic pool for the last time on Saturday having fulfilled a childhood dream, but it is clear he will not be walking away from the sport that has turned him into a global household name. 
 
&quot;I am done competing but by no means does this mean that it&#39;s the end of my career. It&#39;s the start of something new and that&#39;s something I look forward to. So you know Ryan [Lochte] may come back in another four years but I&#39;m not. This is it,&quot; he said. 
 
Phelps&#39; swimming career ended with his 23rd gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay medal on Saturday, which extended his record as the most decorated Olympian of all-time. 
 
(AFP)

'For me I've been to Brazil multiple times and I've felt safe every time I've come here. I've never felt an issue,' he added

The most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, on Sunday (August 14) said he reacted with disbelief when he heard his teammate Ryan Lochte had been involved in a taxi hold-up in Rio de Janeiro and confirmed to reporters that he was not present when the incident took place. US gold medalist Lochte said armed robbers posing as police officers held a gun to his forehead in a taxi hold-up in Rio after a party early on Sunday. "For me I've been to Brazil multiple times and I've felt safe every time I've come here. I've never felt an issue. I wasn't there last night, I was with my family all night long, that was the most important thing to me," he said. "But I was definitely not there last night, I was dead asleep," added Phelps. Lochte told NBC's Today Show he was returning to the Olympic village from a party hosted by the French Games delegation, with swimming team mates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen, when armed men carrying police badges pulled them over. The men told the swimmers to drop to the ground and demanded their money and belongings, but Lochte said he had initially refused to go to ground. Security has been a major headache for organisers of South America's first Olympics. "I kind of said excuse me, I couldn't believe it," recalled Phelps about when he heard about the robbery on Sunday. Separately, Phelps also called for tougher action on athletes who take performance enhancing drugs, weighing in on the doping controversies that have plagued Rio 2016. "We have kids looking up to these athletes that are competing and I feel like all athletes should keep clean and if you don't, there should be a price, he said. Phelp's said he left the Olympic pool for the last time on Saturday having fulfilled a childhood dream, but it is clear he will not be walking away from the sport that has turned him into a global household name. "I am done competing but by no means does this mean that it's the end of my career. It's the start of something new and that's something I look forward to. So you know Ryan [Lochte] may come back in another four years but I'm not. This is it," he said. Phelps' swimming career ended with his 23rd gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay medal on Saturday, which extended his record as the most decorated Olympian of all-time. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: 'I couldn't believe it', says Phelps of Lochte's taxi hold-up

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed 29 Russian swimmers to take part in the Rio Olympic Games, R-Sport news agency cited swimming&#39;s world governing body FINA as saying today. 
 
Swimmers Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev, as well as female swimmer Yulia Efimova are not on the list, however, the agency reported. 
 
Lobintsev and US-based Morozov were part of Russia&#39;s bronze-medal winning 4x100m freestyle team at the London 2012 Games, while Lobintsev also won a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at Beijing 2008. Efimova is a four-times breaststroke world champion. 
 
The IOC has allowed the whole Russian synchronised swimming team and the Russian female water polo team to take part in the Olympics, R-Sport said. 
 
(Reuters)

Swimmers Vladimir Morozov, Nikita Lobintsev and female swimmer, Yulia Efimova, are not on the list

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed 29 Russian swimmers to take part in the Rio Olympic Games, R-Sport news agency cited swimming's world governing body FINA as saying today. Swimmers Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev, as well as female swimmer Yulia Efimova are not on the list, however, the agency reported. Lobintsev and US-based Morozov were part of Russia's bronze-medal winning 4x100m freestyle team at the London 2012 Games, while Lobintsev also won a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at Beijing 2008. Efimova is a four-times breaststroke world champion. The IOC has allowed the whole Russian synchronised swimming team and the Russian female water polo team to take part in the Olympics, R-Sport said. (Reuters)

IOC clears 29 Russian swimmers to compete in Rio, says news agency

To those who dip into swimming only when the Olympic Games come around, it may seem odd to hear a pool described as &#39;fast&#39; when it looks much like any other large rectangle filled with water.

And while coaches hammer into their young charges that fast swimmers make fast pools, like swimmers, some pools are faster than others, and even Michael Phelps goes quicker with the application of science.

In 2013, after British swimmers had flopped at the London Games and that year&#39;s world championships, head coach Bill Furniss suggested Sheffield&#39;s Ponds Forge Olympic standard pool was hampering their development because it was too fast.&nbsp;Cue jokey headlines suggesting swimmers were training in the &quot;wrong kind of water&quot; -&nbsp;an echo of the &quot;wrong kind of snow/rain/sunshine&quot; excuses familiar to downtrodden commuters when Britain&#39;s weather halts the trains.

At the international level, however, the biggest waves are the ones given by the swimmers to the crowd as they climb out.&nbsp;Rio&#39;s new 50-metre Olympic pool, where records may be set as dreams and duels play out, should stand out like a gleaming Ferrari among functional family runabouts.

The technology in such a pool, from energy-absorbing lane dividers and wave-swallowing drainage to the depth and temperature, is all designed to help the world&#39;s best swimmers go faster than ever.

&quot;Years and years ago, when pools had gutters on the side and walls, if you were on the outside lane then the waves were splashing back and hitting you,&quot; Britain&#39;s 4x100 mixed medley world gold medallist Chris Walker-Hebborn told Reuters at an Adidas event.

&quot;That was what I perceived as a slow pool back then.&nbsp;Everything we race in now, it (the water) runs off the edge into a drain so you are at no more disadvantage being in lane eight than you are in lane four, other than not being in the middle of the race.&quot;

Beijing&#39;s &#39;Water Cube&#39; was dubbed the fastest pool in the world, when 25 world records were broken at the 2008 Olympics and various factors contributed to that.

 
The now-banned drag-reducing high-tech suits, with Phelps using Speedo&#39;s LZR bodysuit to win eight golds, were a huge factor, but the pool was also wider and significantly deeper than the one used in Athens in 2004.&nbsp;Unlike Athens, it was also indoors.

That uniform three metre depth, now recommended by world body FINA and considered the norm since Beijing, makes the water more buoyant and less turbulent.&nbsp;The temperature of the water,&nbsp;all 3.7 million litres of it,&nbsp;is kept between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Too warm, and the body can over-relax, Too cold, and muscles may tighten.

 
The Rio Aquatics Stadium, a temporary structure, has had 15,000 strategically positioned holes drilled into it as part of a natural ventilation system.&nbsp;The lighting, the crowd, the acoustics also all help create an atmosphere that crackles with anticipation and plays into the mental side. In Rio, the front-row seats will be just 10 metres from the action.

British swimmer Adam Peaty, who set a 100 metres breaststroke world record of 57.92 seconds in London last year, said the psychological factor of swimmers going fast because they know the pool is state-of-the-art was not to be underestimated.

&quot;It&#39;s more of an idea than a thing; The idea of performing at an Olympics and being one of the best in the world, and that pool is the idea,&quot; Peaty said after this year&#39;s European championships.&nbsp;&quot;It sounds very metaphorical, but every time I see that (London) pool I just want to be the best in the world.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Rio's new 50-metre Olympic pool, where records may be set as dreams and duels play out, should stand out like a gleaming Ferrari

To those who dip into swimming only when the Olympic Games come around, it may seem odd to hear a pool described as 'fast' when it looks much like any other large rectangle filled with water. And while coaches hammer into their young charges that fast swimmers make fast pools, like swimmers, some pools are faster than others, and even Michael Phelps goes quicker with the application of science. In 2013, after British swimmers had flopped at the London Games and that year's world championships, head coach Bill Furniss suggested Sheffield's Ponds Forge Olympic standard pool was hampering their development because it was too fast. Cue jokey headlines suggesting swimmers were training in the "wrong kind of water" - an echo of the "wrong kind of snow/rain/sunshine" excuses familiar to downtrodden commuters when Britain's weather halts the trains. At the international level, however, the biggest waves are the ones given by the swimmers to the crowd as they climb out. Rio's new 50-metre Olympic pool, where records may be set as dreams and duels play out, should stand out like a gleaming Ferrari among functional family runabouts. The technology in such a pool, from energy-absorbing lane dividers and wave-swallowing drainage to the depth and temperature, is all designed to help the world's best swimmers go faster than ever. "Years and years ago, when pools had gutters on the side and walls, if you were on the outside lane then the waves were splashing back and hitting you," Britain's 4x100 mixed medley world gold medallist Chris Walker-Hebborn told Reuters at an Adidas event. "That was what I perceived as a slow pool back then. Everything we race in now, it (the water) runs off the edge into a drain so you are at no more disadvantage being in lane eight than you are in lane four, other than not being in the middle of the race." Beijing's 'Water Cube' was dubbed the fastest pool in the world, when 25 world records were broken at the 2008 Olympics and various factors contributed to that. The now-banned drag-reducing high-tech suits, with Phelps using Speedo's LZR bodysuit to win eight golds, were a huge factor, but the pool was also wider and significantly deeper than the one used in Athens in 2004. Unlike Athens, it was also indoors. That uniform three metre depth, now recommended by world body FINA and considered the norm since Beijing, makes the water more buoyant and less turbulent. The temperature of the water, all 3.7 million litres of it, is kept between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Too warm, and the body can over-relax, Too cold, and muscles may tighten. The Rio Aquatics Stadium, a temporary structure, has had 15,000 strategically positioned holes drilled into it as part of a natural ventilation system. The lighting, the crowd, the acoustics also all help create an atmosphere that crackles with anticipation and plays into the mental side. In Rio, the front-row seats will be just 10 metres from the action. British swimmer Adam Peaty, who set a 100 metres breaststroke world record of 57.92 seconds in London last year, said the psychological factor of swimmers going fast because they know the pool is state-of-the-art was not to be underestimated. "It's more of an idea than a thing; The idea of performing at an Olympics and being one of the best in the world, and that pool is the idea," Peaty said after this year's European championships. "It sounds very metaphorical, but every time I see that (London) pool I just want to be the best in the world." (Reuters)

Technology in pools makes Olympic athletes swim faster

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