The agency is studying Viagra’s effects in athletes, but hasn’t yet banned it. Viagra is not on the International Olympic Committee’s list of prohibited drugs, so athletes can take it at the Beijing Olympics.

Read cbsnews.com

First Hayley McGregory bettered the 100 Backstroke of Natalie Coughlin with a 59.15 (Coughlin’s WR was 59.21), and then Coughlin took it back in the next heat with a 59.03.

Couchlin’s own comments after the swim

Katie Hoff beat Australia’s Stephanie Rice’s time of 4:31.46 with the new world record 4:31.12. And Phelps bettered his own world record to 4:05.25, in a race where Ryan Lochte with 4:06.08 also went under the former world record of 4:06.22. Read here and here at SwimInfo.

Here is Phelps’ world record

The Japanese Swimming Federation has decided to allow its swimmers to wear Speedo’s LZR Racer at the Beijing Olympics. “In order to get the best results in Beijing, we took into account the opinions of the athletes and the coaches,” JSF vice chairman Kazuo Sano said Tuesday.

Source: iht.com

Two days after wearing a T-shirt stating “I am the swimmer”, in protest against the Japanese Swimming Federation restricting Japanese swimmers to use only Mizuno, Descente or Asics swim suits, Kosuke Kitajima breaks the 200 meter breaststroke world record, wearing a Speedo LZR Racer at the Japan Open. The new world record is 2:07.51, beating the 2:08.50 set by Brendan Hansen at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships.

Source: SwimInfo

British Olympics minister Tessa Jowell announced yesterday her aim to make swimming free for all by 2012, with the over 60’s enjoying free swims by the end of this year. This to help get the nation fit without creating an extra burden on the bank balance.

Read Telegraph.co.uk

The rule goes into effect on July 1 and will first apply to eligibility for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. “Should an athlete get caught doping in Beijing and then get a sanction of six months, he will not be eligible for the 2012 London Games,” IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said.

Source: thestar.com