Category: Uncategorized

The Marseille Grand Prix delivered some excitement and fast mid-season swims. Fran Halsall completed a double gold, winning the 100 free and 59 fly…

Britain’s Fran Halsall scorched the women’s 100-meter fly finale tonight with a swift 58.37. That time is just a second off her lifetime best of 57.40 from the 2010 European Championships, and demonstrates that the two-time Olympian is still making strides within the sport. Halsall could be dangerous by the time 2016 Rio Games come around. Spain’s Judit Ignacio Sorribes placed second in 1:00.40, while day one wonder Mireia Belmonte Garcia took third in 1:01.00.

Read the article…

Nathan Adrian won the100 free, with the silver going to Anthony Ervin.

Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian charted a scintillating 48.11 to win the men’s 100-meter free. That’s about a half-a-second off his 10th-ranked best time ever of 47.52 from the 2012 London Olympics. Compatriot Anthony Ervin, meanwhile, placed second in 49.08. His best time ever is a 48.33 from the 2001 World Championships. Those top times aren’t bad considering the in-season nature of this event. France’s Gregory Mallet placed third in 49.31.

Read the article…

Ousamma Mellouli may be stripped of the 800m freestyle gold medal he won at last month’s World Championships in Melbourne. 

Mellouli, who attends the University of Southern Calafornia, admitted to taking an Adderall tablet last December to help stay awake during a late-night study session.  Soon after, he travelled to compete at the US Open Chamionships, where he tested positive for an illegal amount of amphetamines.

The Tunisan Swimming Federation knew of the positive test prior to the World Championships, but chose to accept his explanation and issue a warning.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will now determine Mellouli’s fate.  He may have all other accolades from the past 6 months erased, plus face a 2-year suspension, which would mean that he would miss the Olympic Games in Beijing next year.

Recommendation: If you haven’t already listed to Kicker Vencil’s interview on Timed Finals, you should.  Kicker was suspended from swimming for 2 years in 2003 after a dietary supplement caused him to fail a drug test.  He has great advice for any athlete who is subject to drug testing. Listen here.