Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her record-breaking exploits in the Jakarta pool.

"I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia," Ikee wrote on Twitter.

"I can't believe it, it's a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured."

The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year.

Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan's swimming trials to focus on treatment.

"I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee," she added.

Ikee's coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the "possibility was not zero", Kyodo News Agency reported.

"I'm told we wouldn't have been able to discover the disease in ordinary circumstances," Kyodo quoted Japan Swimming Federation Vice Chairman Koji Ueno as saying at a news conference.

"We were able to find her irregularities because she was swimming. In that sense, we were able to find the disease early."

Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee.

Ikee, whose gold medal haul was the most for a female athlete at a single Asian Games, also picked up two relay silvers to match So's record tally of eight medals.

Winning all six of her gold medals in record times in Jakarta propelled her onto the world stage and made her a major name in Japan.

Coming home sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Rio Games as a 16-year-old, Ikee had been expected to compete for medals at Tokyo 2020 but must now focus on getting healthy before thoughts turn to the summer showpiece in 528 days' time.

After news of Ikee's illness broke, Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru offered words of support on Twitter, telling her to "Strive on," while former Olympic swimmer Hanae Ito said: "Everyone is praying".

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia. The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her record-breaking exploits in the Jakarta pool. "I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia," Ikee wrote on Twitter. "I can't believe it, it's a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured." The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year. Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan's swimming trials to focus on treatment. "I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee," she added. Ikee's coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the "possibility was not zero", Kyodo News Agency reported. "I'm told we wouldn't have been able to discover the disease in ordinary circumstances," Kyodo quoted Japan Swimming Federation Vice Chairman Koji Ueno as saying at a news conference. "We were able to find her irregularities because she was swimming. In that sense, we were able to find the disease early." Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee. Ikee, whose gold medal haul was the most for a female athlete at a single Asian Games, also picked up two relay silvers to match So's record tally of eight medals. Winning all six of her gold medals in record times in Jakarta propelled her onto the world stage and made her a major name in Japan. Coming home sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Rio Games as a 16-year-old, Ikee had been expected to compete for medals at Tokyo 2020 but must now focus on getting healthy before thoughts turn to the summer showpiece in 528 days' time. After news of Ikee's illness broke, Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru offered words of support on Twitter, telling her to "Strive on," while former Olympic swimmer Hanae Ito said: "Everyone is praying".

Tokyo Olympics medal hopeful Rikako Ikee diagnosed with leukaemia

Five people drowned while swimming in a pond in Telangana&#39;s Medak district on Sunday. According to reports, a family of seven members went for swimming in the pond when the incident happened. Two people were successfully rescued.&nbsp;

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Telangana: Five people drowned, two rescued after seven members of a family went for swimming in a pond in Medak district&#39;s Kowdipally; Bodies sent for postmortem, case registered under section 174 CrPC
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According to the local police, bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem while a case has been registered under section 174.&nbsp;

According to the local police, bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem

Five people drowned while swimming in a pond in Telangana's Medak district on Sunday. According to reports, a family of seven members went for swimming in the pond when the incident happened. Two people were successfully rescued. Telangana: Five people drowned, two rescued after seven members of a family went for swimming in a pond in Medak district's Kowdipally; Bodies sent for postmortem, case registered under section 174 CrPC — ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018 × According to the local police, bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem while a case has been registered under section 174.

Telangana: Four drown while swimming in pond

The burkini, a body-concealing women&rsquo;s swimsuit that fits a conservative Islamic dress code, might have stirred a &nbsp;controversy in France, but on the beaches of North Africa, it has made few waves. 
 
On the coast of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, women are already wearing increasingly modest outfits, &nbsp;but few can afford the full-body costume. 
 
In Zeralda, a seaside resort in Western Algiers, few women dare to wear a swimsuit, let alone a bikini, on public beaches. 
 
&#39;People look at me as if I am Martian&#39; 
 
Hakima, a mathematics teacher in her 40s, wears a burkini in the sea before wrapping up in a large sarong when she gets out. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s more decent,&quot; she says. 
 
&quot;The all-body swimsuit is a solution for practicing Muslim women who like the sea.&quot; 
 
But some women cover up against their will, like Manel Brahimi, a biology student. 
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<h5>The swimsuit was introduced to the country by Moroccans living overseas, says Miloud, a retiree.</h5>
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&quot;I love swimming but if I wear a normal swimsuit, people look at me as if I am a Martian,&quot; she says. 
 
Siham, 24, is also resigned to wearing cycling shorts under her one-piece swimsuit to &quot;avoid being stared at&quot;. 
 
On the beaches of Rabat, swimmers splash around in various outfits including Bermuda shorts, tracksuit pants, leggings, denim shorts, and even suggestive wet T-shirts.&nbsp; 
 
Few wear an actual burkini, a garment that on average costs 500 dirhams (50 euros, $56), outside the budget of most beach-goers in the Moroccan capital. 
 
The swimsuit was introduced to the country by Moroccans living overseas, says Miloud, a retiree. 
 
&quot;They brought the fashion (of the burkini) here this year when they came on holiday to the beaches&quot; in the conservative north of the country, says Miloud. 
 
Another beach-goer, Fadel, sees the outfit as &quot;a story of big money&quot; that &quot;creates business for Islamic fashion stores&quot;. 
 
&quot;But most people don&#39;t care,&quot; he says. Last week, Nice became the latest French seaside resort to ban the burkini after a string of terror attacks. 
 
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the costume was part of a political project based &quot;on the enslavement of women,&quot; and was &quot;not compatible with the values of France and the republic&quot;. 
 
This month, youths on a beach on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica came to blows with a group of Muslim families, reportedly after a tourist snapped pictures of women bathing in burkinis. 
 
But the swimsuit has sparked no such controversy in Tunisia, says sociologist Abdessatar Sahbani. 
 
&quot;Wearing the burkini, which has increased considerably since the revolution (in 2011), hasn&#39;t caused any problems on the beaches,&quot; he says. 
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<h5>It&#39;s a haven of peace, a discreet place for a Muslim woman,&quot; says Ouahiba Chaturi, a retired air hostess in a two-piece swimsuit.</h5>
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&quot;This summer, Tunisians are much more preoccupied with the economic and security situation.&quot; 
 
But changing social mores have given a boost to beach clubs reserved for women and children, such as the &quot;Marina Club&quot; east of Algiers. 
 
The club&#39;s clientele lounge next to a swimming pool sporting a variety of clothes from bikinis to burkinis, far from the gaze of men. 
 
The club is entirely staffed by women, from waitresses to lifeguards. Many of them are students. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a haven of peace, a discreet place for a Muslim woman,&quot; says Ouahiba Chaturi, a retired air hostess in a two-piece swimsuit. 
 
In addition to the exterior wall, another wall separates the pool from a special section for women who wear the full Islamic veil and don&#39;t want to undress in front of other women. 
 
&quot;They don&#39;t appreciate the presence of young boys in there,&quot; says one client. 
 
She says she was surprised at the comparison between the gaze of a seven-year-old and that of an adult. 
 
&#39;Country&#39;s beaches were always mixed until recently&#39; 
 
In early August, an article in an Algerian newspaper provoked an outcry on social media for claiming that &quot;nudity&quot; on public beaches had turned them into no-go areas for families. 
 
It blasted Algerian women who &quot;wear skimpy swimsuits as if they were on foreign beaches, and walk along the shore displaying their bodies full of tattoos.&quot; 
 
Yet in the 1990s, mixed beaches and swimsuits were the norm on Algeria&#39;s beaches.&nbsp; 
 
Saida, an English teacher, says the country&#39;s beaches were always mixed until recently.&nbsp; 
 
Now, &quot;the walls have been put up between those who can pay to tan on a private beach and those who, by conviction or obligation, swim in an outfit society deems decent,&quot; she says. 
 
Katia Ouhid, who is in her 50s, says she wears the bikini &quot;on principle&quot;. 
 
&quot;I put on weight when I was pregnant, but I refuse to accept the diktat of society,&quot; she says. 
 
&quot;When the Islamists banned women from going to the beach, we didn&#39;t yield. We went with family and friends and we wore our swimsuits.&quot; 
 
Amina, one of her friends, says society has &quot;regressed enormously in terms of individual freedoms,&quot; and says she misses the beaches where girls used to wear swimsuits in shimmering colours.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;All it needs is a sign at the entrance, family beach, modest dress required &quot;, she says. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

On the coast of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, women are already wearing increasingly modest outfits, ?but few can afford the Burkini

The burkini, a body-concealing women’s swimsuit that fits a conservative Islamic dress code, might have stirred a controversy in France, but on the beaches of North Africa, it has made few waves. On the coast of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, women are already wearing increasingly modest outfits, but few can afford the full-body costume. In Zeralda, a seaside resort in Western Algiers, few women dare to wear a swimsuit, let alone a bikini, on public beaches. 'People look at me as if I am Martian' Hakima, a mathematics teacher in her 40s, wears a burkini in the sea before wrapping up in a large sarong when she gets out. "It's more decent," she says. "The all-body swimsuit is a solution for practicing Muslim women who like the sea." But some women cover up against their will, like Manel Brahimi, a biology student. The swimsuit was introduced to the country by Moroccans living overseas, says Miloud, a retiree. "I love swimming but if I wear a normal swimsuit, people look at me as if I am a Martian," she says. Siham, 24, is also resigned to wearing cycling shorts under her one-piece swimsuit to "avoid being stared at". On the beaches of Rabat, swimmers splash around in various outfits including Bermuda shorts, tracksuit pants, leggings, denim shorts, and even suggestive wet T-shirts. Few wear an actual burkini, a garment that on average costs 500 dirhams (50 euros, $56), outside the budget of most beach-goers in the Moroccan capital. The swimsuit was introduced to the country by Moroccans living overseas, says Miloud, a retiree. "They brought the fashion (of the burkini) here this year when they came on holiday to the beaches" in the conservative north of the country, says Miloud. Another beach-goer, Fadel, sees the outfit as "a story of big money" that "creates business for Islamic fashion stores". "But most people don't care," he says. Last week, Nice became the latest French seaside resort to ban the burkini after a string of terror attacks. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the costume was part of a political project based "on the enslavement of women," and was "not compatible with the values of France and the republic". This month, youths on a beach on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica came to blows with a group of Muslim families, reportedly after a tourist snapped pictures of women bathing in burkinis. But the swimsuit has sparked no such controversy in Tunisia, says sociologist Abdessatar Sahbani. "Wearing the burkini, which has increased considerably since the revolution (in 2011), hasn't caused any problems on the beaches," he says. It's a haven of peace, a discreet place for a Muslim woman," says Ouahiba Chaturi, a retired air hostess in a two-piece swimsuit. "This summer, Tunisians are much more preoccupied with the economic and security situation." But changing social mores have given a boost to beach clubs reserved for women and children, such as the "Marina Club" east of Algiers. The club's clientele lounge next to a swimming pool sporting a variety of clothes from bikinis to burkinis, far from the gaze of men. The club is entirely staffed by women, from waitresses to lifeguards. Many of them are students. "It's a haven of peace, a discreet place for a Muslim woman," says Ouahiba Chaturi, a retired air hostess in a two-piece swimsuit. In addition to the exterior wall, another wall separates the pool from a special section for women who wear the full Islamic veil and don't want to undress in front of other women. "They don't appreciate the presence of young boys in there," says one client. She says she was surprised at the comparison between the gaze of a seven-year-old and that of an adult. 'Country's beaches were always mixed until recently' In early August, an article in an Algerian newspaper provoked an outcry on social media for claiming that "nudity" on public beaches had turned them into no-go areas for families. It blasted Algerian women who "wear skimpy swimsuits as if they were on foreign beaches, and walk along the shore displaying their bodies full of tattoos." Yet in the 1990s, mixed beaches and swimsuits were the norm on Algeria's beaches. Saida, an English teacher, says the country's beaches were always mixed until recently. Now, "the walls have been put up between those who can pay to tan on a private beach and those who, by conviction or obligation, swim in an outfit society deems decent," she says. Katia Ouhid, who is in her 50s, says she wears the bikini "on principle". "I put on weight when I was pregnant, but I refuse to accept the diktat of society," she says. "When the Islamists banned women from going to the beach, we didn't yield. We went with family and friends and we wore our swimsuits." Amina, one of her friends, says society has "regressed enormously in terms of individual freedoms," and says she misses the beaches where girls used to wear swimsuits in shimmering colours. "All it needs is a sign at the entrance, family beach, modest dress required ", she says. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Burkini 'not a big deal' in North Africa

Swimming great Michael Phelps calls it a day at at the Olympics on Saturday while the Rio curtain rises on another legend as sprinter Usain Bolt guns for three golds. 
 
Jamaican Bolt enters the Rio fray in the heats of the men&#39;s 100m while Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, is expected to clinch the 23rd gold medal of his career in the 4x100m medley. 
 
Both Phelps and Bolt have announced that Rio will be their last Olympics and the American is expected to end his career on a high note following his shock defeat on Friday to Singapore&#39;s Joseph Schooling in the 100m butterfly. 
 
For Bolt the target is a third treble of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds. 
 
Phelps, 31, was graceful in defeat to Schooling, 21, on Friday. He called the result &#39;kind of cool&#39; after he was relegated to a three-way dead heat for silver with South African Chad le Clos and Hungary&#39;s Laszlo Cseh. 
 
Singapore exploded in celebration in response to Schooling&#39;s win, the first gold medal in the country&#39;s history. 
 
Schooling, who was inspired to become a top-level swimmer by a meeting with Phelps as a 13-year-old, set an Olympic record of 50.38sec. 
 
&quot;He said &#39;good job, that was a great race&#39;,&quot; Schooling told of Phelps&#39;s reaction. 
 
Another new generation swimmer, Katie Ledecky, completed the first 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle treble since 1968 -- and with a world record. 
 
America&#39;s latest swimming sensation won the 800m in 8min 04.79sec, inside her seven-month old record of 8:06.68. 
 
Phelps has insisted there is no way he is changing his mind about quitting after his fifth Olympics. And Jamaican hero Bolt has said he will also give up after these Games. 
 
The 29-year-old world record holder will start the 100m heats on Saturday in preparation for a predicted showdown with US rival Justin Gatlin in the Olympic stadium on Sunday. 
 
While Bolt&#39;s superstar status is unblemished, Gatlin, the world&#39;s fastest man this year, is still seeking to redeem his name after two doping bans. 
 
The athletics has already produced one startling result -- a world record in the women&#39;s 10,000 metre for Ethiopia&#39;s Almaz Ayana. 
 
Eyebrows were raised about the way in which Ayana smashed the record that has stood for 23 years, by nearly 14 seconds with a time of 29 min 17.45 sec. 
 
&quot;I praise the lord, the lord gives me everything,&quot; she said through an interpreter when asked about the performance. &quot;My doping is my training, my doping is Jesus -- otherwise I&#39;m crystal clear.&quot; 
 
Athletics is battling a torrent of doping controversies after world body the IAAF suspended Russia&#39;s track and field team. 
 
Also in track and field Michelle Carter of the United States stunned defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand with her very last throw to win the gold medal in the women&#39;s shot put. 
 
Wang Zhen of China won the men&#39;s 20km race walk gold, 15 seconds ahead of compatriot Cai Zelin. 
 
Britain&#39;s Jessica Ennis-Hill leads Belgium&#39;s Nafissatou Thiam by 72 points in her bid to retain the heptathlon title. She won the 100m hurdles, finished third in the high jump and second in the shot put and 200m. 
 
(AFP)
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Both Phelps and Bolt have announced that Rio will be their last Olympics

Swimming great Michael Phelps calls it a day at at the Olympics on Saturday while the Rio curtain rises on another legend as sprinter Usain Bolt guns for three golds. Jamaican Bolt enters the Rio fray in the heats of the men's 100m while Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, is expected to clinch the 23rd gold medal of his career in the 4x100m medley. Both Phelps and Bolt have announced that Rio will be their last Olympics and the American is expected to end his career on a high note following his shock defeat on Friday to Singapore's Joseph Schooling in the 100m butterfly. For Bolt the target is a third treble of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds. Phelps, 31, was graceful in defeat to Schooling, 21, on Friday. He called the result 'kind of cool' after he was relegated to a three-way dead heat for silver with South African Chad le Clos and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh. Singapore exploded in celebration in response to Schooling's win, the first gold medal in the country's history. Schooling, who was inspired to become a top-level swimmer by a meeting with Phelps as a 13-year-old, set an Olympic record of 50.38sec. "He said 'good job, that was a great race'," Schooling told of Phelps's reaction. Another new generation swimmer, Katie Ledecky, completed the first 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle treble since 1968 -- and with a world record. America's latest swimming sensation won the 800m in 8min 04.79sec, inside her seven-month old record of 8:06.68. Phelps has insisted there is no way he is changing his mind about quitting after his fifth Olympics. And Jamaican hero Bolt has said he will also give up after these Games. The 29-year-old world record holder will start the 100m heats on Saturday in preparation for a predicted showdown with US rival Justin Gatlin in the Olympic stadium on Sunday. While Bolt's superstar status is unblemished, Gatlin, the world's fastest man this year, is still seeking to redeem his name after two doping bans. The athletics has already produced one startling result -- a world record in the women's 10,000 metre for Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana. Eyebrows were raised about the way in which Ayana smashed the record that has stood for 23 years, by nearly 14 seconds with a time of 29 min 17.45 sec. "I praise the lord, the lord gives me everything," she said through an interpreter when asked about the performance. "My doping is my training, my doping is Jesus -- otherwise I'm crystal clear." Athletics is battling a torrent of doping controversies after world body the IAAF suspended Russia's track and field team. Also in track and field Michelle Carter of the United States stunned defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand with her very last throw to win the gold medal in the women's shot put. Wang Zhen of China won the men's 20km race walk gold, 15 seconds ahead of compatriot Cai Zelin. Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill leads Belgium's Nafissatou Thiam by 72 points in her bid to retain the heptathlon title. She won the 100m hurdles, finished third in the high jump and second in the shot put and 200m. (AFP)

Phelps says goodbye to Olympics after unprecedented 23-gold haul

Yusra Mardini, the teenager who braved a Mediterranean crossing in a leaky dinghy fleeing war-torn Syria, won her 100m butterfly heat in Rio on Saturday to launch an &quot;amazing&quot; Olympic experience. 
 
&quot;Everything was amazing. It was the only thing I ever wanted was to compete in the Olympics,&quot; said the 18-year-old, who is representing the first ever Olympic refugee team. 
 
&quot;I had a good feeling in the water so I&#39;m happy for that.&quot; 
 
She attended Friday&#39;s Opening Ceremony, but didn&#39;t stay for the end because she wanted to be ready for her race. 
Mardini touched in 1min 09.21sec, just off her entry time of 1:08.51. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve only been back swimming for two years so we&#39;re only now getting back to my levels of before. But I&#39;m pleased,&quot; added Mardini, who has settled in Germany with her family. 
 
Less than a year ago Mardini found herself swimming for her life when the crowded dinghy headed for the Greek island of Lesbos suffered engine failure. 
 
She and her sister jumped into the water and used a rope to tow the boat to safety. 
 
Although she was 41st-fastest in an event led by world record-holder Sarah Sjostrom&#39;s 56.26sec meaning she didn&#39;t qualify for the semi-finals, Mardini said it was a thrill to line up against the world&#39;s best. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s an incredible feeling and I&#39;m happy to see all the great swimmers here,&quot; she said. &quot;Competing with all these great champions is exciting.&quot; 
 
In March, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach announced he would choose five to ten refugee athletes to compete at the Games. 
 
One other swimmer, Rami Anis, is also originally from Syria and will compete in the men&#39;s 100m butterfly. Mardini is also entered in the 100m freestyle. 
 
Each Refugee athlete is being hosted by a National Olympic Committee. Mardini is being hosted by Germany, while Anis is being hosted by Belgium. 
 
Six refugee athletes are competing in athletics and two in Judo. 
 
(AFP)

Yusra Mardini,18, less than a year ago found herself swimming for her life when the crowded dinghy headed for Lesbos suffered engine failure

Yusra Mardini, the teenager who braved a Mediterranean crossing in a leaky dinghy fleeing war-torn Syria, won her 100m butterfly heat in Rio on Saturday to launch an "amazing" Olympic experience. "Everything was amazing. It was the only thing I ever wanted was to compete in the Olympics," said the 18-year-old, who is representing the first ever Olympic refugee team. "I had a good feeling in the water so I'm happy for that." She attended Friday's Opening Ceremony, but didn't stay for the end because she wanted to be ready for her race. Mardini touched in 1min 09.21sec, just off her entry time of 1:08.51. "I've only been back swimming for two years so we're only now getting back to my levels of before. But I'm pleased," added Mardini, who has settled in Germany with her family. Less than a year ago Mardini found herself swimming for her life when the crowded dinghy headed for the Greek island of Lesbos suffered engine failure. She and her sister jumped into the water and used a rope to tow the boat to safety. Although she was 41st-fastest in an event led by world record-holder Sarah Sjostrom's 56.26sec meaning she didn't qualify for the semi-finals, Mardini said it was a thrill to line up against the world's best. "It's an incredible feeling and I'm happy to see all the great swimmers here," she said. "Competing with all these great champions is exciting." In March, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach announced he would choose five to ten refugee athletes to compete at the Games. One other swimmer, Rami Anis, is also originally from Syria and will compete in the men's 100m butterfly. Mardini is also entered in the 100m freestyle. Each Refugee athlete is being hosted by a National Olympic Committee. Mardini is being hosted by Germany, while Anis is being hosted by Belgium. Six refugee athletes are competing in athletics and two in Judo. (AFP)

Syrian refugee Mardini wins 100m butterfly heat in Rio

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

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 18 gold medals among his career haul of 22, will carry the US flag in Friday&#39;s opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics. 
 
The US Olympic Committee said today that Phelps, who will be the first American male swimmer to compete at five Games, had been chosen in a vote of fellow team members to lead the delegation into the Maracana stadium. 
 
Phelps, who won eight of his golds in Beijing in 2008, is set to add to his haul in Rio with three individual events as well as relays. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m honoured to be chosen, proud to represent the US, and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for,&quot; said Phelps. 
 
&quot;For Sydney (in 2000), I just wanted to make the team. For Athens, I wanted to win gold for my country. For Beijing, I wanted to do something nobody else had done. In London, I wanted to make history. 
 
&quot;And now, I want to walk in the Opening Ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud. This time around, it&#39;s about so much more than medals.&quot; 
 
Taking part in the opening ceremony will mean a late night for Phelps on Friday, with the stadium at least an hour away from the Athletes Village in Barra, and plenty of standing around as well. 
 
The 31-year-old will not be in action on the opening Saturday, however, with his first event likely to be the men&#39;s 4x100 freestyle relay on Sunday. 
 
The US team have not announced their lineup for that event and Phelps is unlikely to take part in the afternoon heats, meaning he will make his competitive entry in the pool late in the evening if selected. 
 
(Reuters)

Phelps, who won eight of his golds in Beijing in 2008, is set to add to his haul in Rio with three individual events as well as relays

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 18 gold medals among his career haul of 22, will carry the US flag in Friday's opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics. The US Olympic Committee said today that Phelps, who will be the first American male swimmer to compete at five Games, had been chosen in a vote of fellow team members to lead the delegation into the Maracana stadium. Phelps, who won eight of his golds in Beijing in 2008, is set to add to his haul in Rio with three individual events as well as relays. "I'm honoured to be chosen, proud to represent the US, and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for," said Phelps. "For Sydney (in 2000), I just wanted to make the team. For Athens, I wanted to win gold for my country. For Beijing, I wanted to do something nobody else had done. In London, I wanted to make history. "And now, I want to walk in the Opening Ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud. This time around, it's about so much more than medals." Taking part in the opening ceremony will mean a late night for Phelps on Friday, with the stadium at least an hour away from the Athletes Village in Barra, and plenty of standing around as well. The 31-year-old will not be in action on the opening Saturday, however, with his first event likely to be the men's 4x100 freestyle relay on Sunday. The US team have not announced their lineup for that event and Phelps is unlikely to take part in the afternoon heats, meaning he will make his competitive entry in the pool late in the evening if selected. (Reuters)

Rio 2016: Michael Phelps chosen as US team flag bearer

Russian Yulia Efimova, who has been banned from competing at next month&#39;s Rio Olympics by swimming&#39;s international governing body FINA, will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), her agent said yesterday. 
 
&quot;We&#39;ve taken the decision to appeal to CAS. The opponent will be the International Olympic Committee, FINA and the Russian Olympic Committee,&quot; Efimova&#39;s agent Andrei Mitkov told R-Sport. 
 
FINA yesterday banned seven Russians, including 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Efimova, from competing in Rio in the fall-out from Russia&#39;s rampant state-run doping. 
 
FINA was the first sport to impose bans in light of Sunday&#39;s International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision, which ruled against a blanket ban on all Russian competitors in Rio, instead leaving it up to individual sports federations to decide whether to accept Russians. 
 
Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev, both 4x100m freestyle bronze-medal winners with the Russian team at the 2012 Olympics, and Efimova, who won bronze in the 200m breaststroke in London, were among the seven banned. 
 
Efimova had been provisionally suspended by FINA in March after testing positive for the banned drug meldonium, which has been prohibited since January. 
 
FINA lifted Efimova&#39;s suspension in May after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said that athletes could escape a ban because it does not know exactly how long it takes for meldonium to leave the body. 
 
The 24-year-old is also four-time world champion in the breaststroke. 
 
(AFP)

International Swimming Federation yesterday banned seven Russians from competing in Rio Olympics after Russia's state-run doping was exposed

Russian Yulia Efimova, who has been banned from competing at next month's Rio Olympics by swimming's international governing body FINA, will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), her agent said yesterday. "We've taken the decision to appeal to CAS. The opponent will be the International Olympic Committee, FINA and the Russian Olympic Committee," Efimova's agent Andrei Mitkov told R-Sport. FINA yesterday banned seven Russians, including 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Efimova, from competing in Rio in the fall-out from Russia's rampant state-run doping. FINA was the first sport to impose bans in light of Sunday's International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision, which ruled against a blanket ban on all Russian competitors in Rio, instead leaving it up to individual sports federations to decide whether to accept Russians. Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev, both 4x100m freestyle bronze-medal winners with the Russian team at the 2012 Olympics, and Efimova, who won bronze in the 200m breaststroke in London, were among the seven banned. Efimova had been provisionally suspended by FINA in March after testing positive for the banned drug meldonium, which has been prohibited since January. FINA lifted Efimova's suspension in May after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said that athletes could escape a ban because it does not know exactly how long it takes for meldonium to leave the body. The 24-year-old is also four-time world champion in the breaststroke. (AFP)

Russian swimmer Efimova to appeal Rio ban to Sport Arbitration Court

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

Dutch swimmer Inge Dekker, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February and had surgery in March, will take part in her fourth Olympics after being named on Tuesday in a 17-strong squad for next month&#39;s Rio Games. 
 
The 30-year-old, who won a 4x100 metre freestyle relay gold in Beijing in 2008 as well as bronze in 2004 and silver in 2012, missed the European championships in London in May as she continued her recovery. 
 
The Dutch women won relay silver at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, last year with triple Olympic gold medallist Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Femke Heemskerk, Maud van der Meer and Marrit Steenbergen. 
 
More than four swimmers are often included in relay teams, with reserves slotted in for the heats before the top four compete in the final. 
Dekker was also down for the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly.&nbsp; 
 
The seven men in the squad, who will train in Sardinia before flying to Brazil, will be led by European 200m freestyle champion Sebastiaan Verschuren. Ten of the 17 are Olympic debutants. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s good to see the mix of experienced Olympic swimmers and young talents,&quot; said Dutch swimming managing director Jan Kossen.&nbsp;&quot;The number of novices at these Games also gives confidence to the more distant future.&quot; 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Inge Dekker will take part in her fourth Olympics in a 17-strong squad for next month's Rio Games

Dutch swimmer Inge Dekker, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February and had surgery in March, will take part in her fourth Olympics after being named on Tuesday in a 17-strong squad for next month's Rio Games. The 30-year-old, who won a 4x100 metre freestyle relay gold in Beijing in 2008 as well as bronze in 2004 and silver in 2012, missed the European championships in London in May as she continued her recovery. The Dutch women won relay silver at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, last year with triple Olympic gold medallist Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Femke Heemskerk, Maud van der Meer and Marrit Steenbergen. More than four swimmers are often included in relay teams, with reserves slotted in for the heats before the top four compete in the final. Dekker was also down for the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly. The seven men in the squad, who will train in Sardinia before flying to Brazil, will be led by European 200m freestyle champion Sebastiaan Verschuren. Ten of the 17 are Olympic debutants. "It's good to see the mix of experienced Olympic swimmers and young talents," said Dutch swimming managing director Jan Kossen. "The number of novices at these Games also gives confidence to the more distant future." (Reuters)

Dutch swimmer Dekker wins race to Rio after cancer surgery

Russian breastroke swimmer Vitalina Simonova has been suspended for four years after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has announced. 
 
The test result related to an out of competition sample the 23-year-old gave on June 29, 2015 during a training camp in Naoussa, Greece, where testosterone was found. 
 
The ban is backdated and runs until June 28, 2019, FINA said in a statement on its official website.&nbsp; 
 
The Russian won bronze at the 2014 European Championships in the medley relay and claimed silver at the 2013 European short course championships in the 200 metres breaststroke.&nbsp; 
 
Simonova, who was not selected to compete at this year&#39;s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, intends to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the suspension. 
 
&quot;The banned substance was in a dietary supplement, but it was not indicated on the packaging,&quot; Simonova told the R-Sport news agency.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I am upset that our arguments have not been listened to, but I intend to carry on and will look to defend myself at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. I have no intention of retiring,&quot; she added. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Vitalina Simonova, who was not selected to compete at this year's Rio Olympics, intends to appeal to CAS against the suspension

Russian breastroke swimmer Vitalina Simonova has been suspended for four years after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has announced. The test result related to an out of competition sample the 23-year-old gave on June 29, 2015 during a training camp in Naoussa, Greece, where testosterone was found. The ban is backdated and runs until June 28, 2019, FINA said in a statement on its official website. The Russian won bronze at the 2014 European Championships in the medley relay and claimed silver at the 2013 European short course championships in the 200 metres breaststroke. Simonova, who was not selected to compete at this year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, intends to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the suspension. "The banned substance was in a dietary supplement, but it was not indicated on the packaging," Simonova told the R-Sport news agency. "I am upset that our arguments have not been listened to, but I intend to carry on and will look to defend myself at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. I have no intention of retiring," she added. (Reuters)

Russian swimmer Simonova gets four-year doping ban

Cameron McEvoy has that rare ability to bend water to his will and the sprinter could help Australia to a bumper haul of swimming medals at the Rio Games, five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has told Reuters. 
 
McEvoy posted a time of 47.04 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia&#39;s Olympic trials in April, the fastest recorded since synthetic suits were banned at the end of 2009. 
 
That put the 22-year-old among the favourites for Rio&#39;s blue riband sprint in August and to Thorpe was evidence that being a champion swimmer is about more than just physique. 
 
&quot;He is one of the most exciting swimmers I have seen,&quot; Thorpe, who won five gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, told Reuters in an interview. 
 
While McEvoy, at 1.85m, is still towered over by many of his rivals, Thorpe said his technique and afinity with the water set him apart. 
 
&quot;I think people who are very successful in swimming are those that can capture the water, they learn how the water moves and how you can move within it,&quot; he added. 
 
&quot;A lot of people look to physical characteristics to explain people&#39;s brilliance and it really has very little to do with this. 
 
&quot;And with someone like Cameron McEvoy&#39;s stature, it shows those people &#39;I want to master the water.&#39;&quot; 
 
Thorpe, who will act as a panellist for India&#39;s Star Sports during the Olympics, also has high hopes for the Campbell sisters, Cate and Bronte, in Rio and said their sibbling rivalry can only bode well for the country&#39;s medal prospects. 
 
At the April trials, sprint queen Cate set the second fastest 50m freestyle of all time in 23.84 seconds, just 0.11 seconds shy of Britta Steffen&#39;s 2009 world record set in a synthetic swim-suit. 
 
She also set the year&#39;s fastest time of 52.38 seconds in the 100 freestyle, edging her sister and world champion Bronte, who was a runner-up despite carrying a shoulder injury. 
 
The sisters are set to clash in the 50 and 100 freestyle in Rio while teaming up in the women&#39;s 4x100m relay and 4x100m medley relays. 
 
&quot;I think the match-up between the Campbell sisters is very interesting,&quot; said Thorpe. &quot;Those two girls have swam so well and they are the best of friends. And number one and two in the world, which looks very good for our relay ...&quot; 
 
Australia has long relied on its swimmers to provide a bulk of medals at Olympics but won only a single relay title in London four years ago. 
 
The worst medal haul in 20 years led to a series of reviews that found evidence of bullying, drunkenness and the abuse of prescription drugs by some team members. 
 
Thorpe said the swim team would be out to redeem themselves at Rio. 
 
&quot;Australia has a very strong team. It&#39;s the best team that we have fielded for a decade I think when it comes to swimming,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;I feel we will win a number of gold medals. I am hesitant to say an exact number but I think it will be between four and six gold medals. 
 
&quot;We have more people that are ranked world number one than we did going into the London and we are very strong in a number of events .We will win some of the higher profile Olympic gold medals.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

McEvoy posted a time of 47.04 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia's Olympic trials in April

Cameron McEvoy has that rare ability to bend water to his will and the sprinter could help Australia to a bumper haul of swimming medals at the Rio Games, five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has told Reuters. McEvoy posted a time of 47.04 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia's Olympic trials in April, the fastest recorded since synthetic suits were banned at the end of 2009. That put the 22-year-old among the favourites for Rio's blue riband sprint in August and to Thorpe was evidence that being a champion swimmer is about more than just physique. "He is one of the most exciting swimmers I have seen," Thorpe, who won five gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, told Reuters in an interview. While McEvoy, at 1.85m, is still towered over by many of his rivals, Thorpe said his technique and afinity with the water set him apart. "I think people who are very successful in swimming are those that can capture the water, they learn how the water moves and how you can move within it," he added. "A lot of people look to physical characteristics to explain people's brilliance and it really has very little to do with this. "And with someone like Cameron McEvoy's stature, it shows those people 'I want to master the water.'" Thorpe, who will act as a panellist for India's Star Sports during the Olympics, also has high hopes for the Campbell sisters, Cate and Bronte, in Rio and said their sibbling rivalry can only bode well for the country's medal prospects. At the April trials, sprint queen Cate set the second fastest 50m freestyle of all time in 23.84 seconds, just 0.11 seconds shy of Britta Steffen's 2009 world record set in a synthetic swim-suit. She also set the year's fastest time of 52.38 seconds in the 100 freestyle, edging her sister and world champion Bronte, who was a runner-up despite carrying a shoulder injury. The sisters are set to clash in the 50 and 100 freestyle in Rio while teaming up in the women's 4x100m relay and 4x100m medley relays. "I think the match-up between the Campbell sisters is very interesting," said Thorpe. "Those two girls have swam so well and they are the best of friends. And number one and two in the world, which looks very good for our relay ..." Australia has long relied on its swimmers to provide a bulk of medals at Olympics but won only a single relay title in London four years ago. The worst medal haul in 20 years led to a series of reviews that found evidence of bullying, drunkenness and the abuse of prescription drugs by some team members. Thorpe said the swim team would be out to redeem themselves at Rio. "Australia has a very strong team. It's the best team that we have fielded for a decade I think when it comes to swimming," he said. "I feel we will win a number of gold medals. I am hesitant to say an exact number but I think it will be between four and six gold medals. "We have more people that are ranked world number one than we did going into the London and we are very strong in a number of events .We will win some of the higher profile Olympic gold medals." (Reuters)

Water whisperer McEvoy will lead Australia charge: Thorpe

The Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) has turned down Park Tae-hwan&#39;s appeal to overturn a controversial doping suspension, leaving the swimmer&#39;s hopes of competing at the Rio Games in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 
 
The former Olympic champion has already served an 18-month ban imposed by the swimming&#39;s world governing body FINA. However, he is fighting to repeal a KOC regulation that imposed an additional three-year suspension, effectively ruling him out of Rio. 
 
The 26-year-old South Korean lodged a case with CAS but had hoped the KOC might re-consider its hard-line position before going to trial. 
 
The KOC poured cold water on such hopes on Thursday, saying the rule would remain in force. 
 
&quot;The regulation for the selection of national team representatives was made with the aim of demanding a high level of morality of our national team athletes and considering the dignity required of a public figure,&quot; the KOC said in a statement carried on South Korean television. &quot;Doping is against the fair play spirit, a basic requirement of athletes, and we decided that a rigorous response was needed for educational purposes to young athletes.&quot; 
 
Park, who won gold in the 400 metres freestyle and silver in the 200 at the 2008 Beijing Games, was expected to respond to the KOC&#39;s ruling at a media conference later on Thursday. The first Korean to win an Olympic swimming medal, Park&#39;s breakthrough in the Beijing pool made him a huge celebrity at home and a magnet for corporate sponsors. 
 
He finished runner-up in both the 200 and 400 at the London Games four years ago but his reputation was shattered when he tested positive for testosterone ahead of the 2014 Asian Games. Park attributed the failed test to an injection he received at a local clinic, where he said he was being treated for a skin complaint. 
 
Despite the KOC ban, Park entered national swimming trials in April and won all four of his races in times quick enough for Olympic qualification. 
 
Critics of the KOC&#39;s anti-doping regulation say it punishes an athlete twice for the same offence. CAS has previously struck down double-barrelled punishments for athletes banned for doping-related offences. 
 
In 2011, the Swiss-based tribunal ruled that the International Olympic Committee&#39;s &#39;Osaka Rule&#39;, which banned athletes serving suspensions of at least six months from competing at the next Games, violated its own statutes. 
(Reuters)

He enjoys celebrity status at home and has a number of corporate sponsorships

The Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) has turned down Park Tae-hwan's appeal to overturn a controversial doping suspension, leaving the swimmer's hopes of competing at the Rio Games in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The former Olympic champion has already served an 18-month ban imposed by the swimming's world governing body FINA. However, he is fighting to repeal a KOC regulation that imposed an additional three-year suspension, effectively ruling him out of Rio. The 26-year-old South Korean lodged a case with CAS but had hoped the KOC might re-consider its hard-line position before going to trial. The KOC poured cold water on such hopes on Thursday, saying the rule would remain in force. "The regulation for the selection of national team representatives was made with the aim of demanding a high level of morality of our national team athletes and considering the dignity required of a public figure," the KOC said in a statement carried on South Korean television. "Doping is against the fair play spirit, a basic requirement of athletes, and we decided that a rigorous response was needed for educational purposes to young athletes." Park, who won gold in the 400 metres freestyle and silver in the 200 at the 2008 Beijing Games, was expected to respond to the KOC's ruling at a media conference later on Thursday. The first Korean to win an Olympic swimming medal, Park's breakthrough in the Beijing pool made him a huge celebrity at home and a magnet for corporate sponsors. He finished runner-up in both the 200 and 400 at the London Games four years ago but his reputation was shattered when he tested positive for testosterone ahead of the 2014 Asian Games. Park attributed the failed test to an injection he received at a local clinic, where he said he was being treated for a skin complaint. Despite the KOC ban, Park entered national swimming trials in April and won all four of his races in times quick enough for Olympic qualification. Critics of the KOC's anti-doping regulation say it punishes an athlete twice for the same offence. CAS has previously struck down double-barrelled punishments for athletes banned for doping-related offences. In 2011, the Swiss-based tribunal ruled that the International Olympic Committee's 'Osaka Rule', which banned athletes serving suspensions of at least six months from competing at the next Games, violated its own statutes. (Reuters)

Korea's Olympic Committee turns down banned Park's Rio appeal

A crocodile in Australia snatched a woman taking a late-night swim in a national park and is believed to have killed her, media reported on Monday. 
 
The 46-year-old woman was swimming with a friend late on Sunday in waist-deep water at a beach in Queensland state when she disappeared, police said. 
 
&quot;They felt a nudge, and a large crocodile is alleged to have grabbed one of the ladies and pulled her into the water,&quot; Neil Noble, a supervisor for the Queensland state ambulance service, told reporters. 
 
Police would only say the woman was believed to have been taken by a crocodile. Media reported that the friend struggled to pull the woman back from the crocodile`s jaws. 
 
Police did not identify the woman or give her nationality but said she lives in Australia and has family in New Zealand. 
A police spokesman told Reuters a search and rescue operation would continue on Tuesday. 
 
Warren Entsch, the area`s member of parliament, said the incident occurred in a place that is popular with crocodile-spotting tours, with many warning signs. 
 
The incident should not encourage reprisals against the animals, he said. 
 
&quot;You can`t legislate against human stupidity,&quot; Entsch told reporters. &quot;This is a tragedy but it was avoidable. There are warning signs everywhere up there.&quot;

A crocodile in Australia snatched a woman taking a late-night swim in a national park and is believed to have killed her, media reported on Monday. The 46-year-old woman was swimming with a friend late on Sunday in waist-deep water at a beach in Queensland state when she disappeared, police said.

A crocodile in Australia snatched a woman taking a late-night swim in a national park and is believed to have killed her, media reported on Monday. The 46-year-old woman was swimming with a friend late on Sunday in waist-deep water at a beach in Queensland state when she disappeared, police said. "They felt a nudge, and a large crocodile is alleged to have grabbed one of the ladies and pulled her into the water," Neil Noble, a supervisor for the Queensland state ambulance service, told reporters. Police would only say the woman was believed to have been taken by a crocodile. Media reported that the friend struggled to pull the woman back from the crocodile`s jaws. Police did not identify the woman or give her nationality but said she lives in Australia and has family in New Zealand. A police spokesman told Reuters a search and rescue operation would continue on Tuesday. Warren Entsch, the area`s member of parliament, said the incident occurred in a place that is popular with crocodile-spotting tours, with many warning signs. The incident should not encourage reprisals against the animals, he said. "You can`t legislate against human stupidity," Entsch told reporters. "This is a tragedy but it was avoidable. There are warning signs everywhere up there."

Crocodile attacked woman taking late-night swim in Australia

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