Swimmer's Daily

  • Convicted dope cheats such as sprinter Justin Gatlin could still be benefiting from having taken banned substances long after their bans have expired.

    Research by University of Oslo  scientists has established that muscles can retain the advantages given by anabolic steroids decades after the point at which they were taken.

    The data casts another shadow over once-banned athletes such as controversial US athlete Gatlin, Tyson Gay – the second fastest man in history – and Britain’s Dwain Chambers.

    This summer, 32-year-old Gatlin ran the fastest ever 100m and 200m times by a man in his thirties despite twice having served suspensions.

    The study has vast implications for the existing anti-doping system, where a first-time offender is unlikely to be suspended for more than two years and may well serve less than half that.

    Kristian Gundersen, Professor of Physiology at the University of Oslo, who conducted the research in October 2013, told BBC Sport: “I think it is likely that effects could be lifelong or at least lasting decades in humans.

    “Our data indicates the exclusion time of two years is far too short. Even four years is too short.”

    Read BBC Sport

    http://youtu.be/_ksl1G7w5ak

  • Presented by Arena, the exclusive outfitter of the USA Swimming National Team, “Being Frank” is a web series featuring the insights of USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch.

    As part of Arena’s ongoing dedication to servicing coaches and teams, the series is geared toward helping coaches take their game to the next level – not by implementing the latest workout, but by taking a look at the business of coaching.

    Courtesy of USA Swimming on YouTube

  • Olympic Gold medalist Claire Donahue and National Team Members Brad Craig and Katie Meili made a big splash at Pleasantville high school Sunday.

    “We’re really excited just to be here and come to South Jersey,” said Claire Donahue, a 2012 London Olympic Gold Medalist in the 400-medley relay.

    “For them to come out here is such an honor,” said clinic participant.

    The trio spent the day teaching young swimmers how to enhance their competitive swimming skills.

    “For us we get to teach them not just about technique and about drills, but we get to kind of talk to them about what it’s like to be a swimmer, you can kind of connect,” said Donahue.

    “It’s not like everyday you get to meet Olympians and them like teach you these things,” said clinic participant.

    See NBC 40

    NBC40.net

  • Four teens have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a Niles North High School student last week.

    Max Gadau, 17, and a 17-year-old girl were either standing next to or inside a Honda Civic in the 9200 block of Kedvale Avenue when they were both shot. Gadau died in the attack and the girl was listed in critical condition at Evanston Hospital.

    Dzevad Avdic, 19, of the 5900 block of South Honore in Chicago, Myles Hughes, 19, of the 4200 block of West 81st Street in Chicago, Jeremy Ly, 19, of the 8100 block of Lowell in Skokie, and Nicholas Smith 19, of the 3800 block of West 84th Street in Chicago were each charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.

    In court Sunday, prosecutors allege the shooting was part of a drug deal gone wrong.

    The victim’s mother, Patricia Gadau, said her son was asked by a classmate, who’s allegedly involved in drugs, to accompany her for “protection.”

    “Max went to front of the house, to the car, where they were approached by two men on foot and they shot him,” she said. “She wanted him to protect her and he did, and he lost his life for it.”

    Read CNS Chicago

  • USA Swimming announced today that, due to a violation of the organization’s Code of Conduct, Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) will be suspended from USA Swimming-sanctioned competition for six months, withdraw from the 2015 FINA World Championships Team and forfeit his funding from the NGB for six months.

    Phelps’ discipline is set forth under Section 304.3.19 of the 2014 Rule Book, which states “Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.”

    As a result, USA Swimming has taken the following actions:

    • Six-Month Suspension from Competition. Phelps will be permitted to train with his member club, but shall be ineligible to participate in USA Swimming-sanctioned competitions through April 6, 2015.
    • Withdrawal from the 2015 World Championship Team. Phelps and USA Swimming each agree that Phelps will not represent the United States at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia, from August 2-9.
    • Forfeiture of USA Swimming’s Monthly Stipend. The monthly payments from USA Swimming will be halted during the six-month suspension period.

    “Membership in USA Swimming, and particularly at the National Team level, includes a clear obligation to adhere to our Code of Conduct. Should an infraction occur, it is our responsibility to take appropriate action based on the individual case. Michael’s conduct was serious and required significant consequences,” USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus said. “Michael has publicly acknowledged the impact of his decisions, his accountability especially due to his stature in the sport and the steps necessary for self-improvement. We endorse and are here to fully support his personal development actions.”

    Read USA Swimming

  • The creature managed to break a fence and make its way into Dominic Lombardi’s yard in Hanover Township, Penn., a local ABC affiliate reports.

    This is not the first bear to help itself to a little pool time. Last month, a black bear in southern California pulled the same shenanigans to help cool off amid searing temperatures.

    See TIME

  • A former world-class swimmer announced that she would come out of retirement and try her hand at the Olympic Games once again.

    Ariana Kukors thought she was finished swimming after she participated in the 2012 Olympics, but her passion for the sport made her rethink her decision and led her to train for the 2016 Olympics.

    Kukors is the current world record holder in the 200-meter individual medley, but she said she plans to do things differently the second time around.

    “I’ve put plenty of yards in the pool, my arms know how to pull the water,” Kukors said. “Now, it’s ‘How do I gain explosiveness? How do I gain power?’”

    See ATVN

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  • A second great white shark has been hooked and killed off Esperance after a 23-year-old surfer was attacked and lost parts of both arms in a horrific attack.

    The man is 23-year-old Bunbury man Sean Pollard, who arrived at Royal Perth Hospital in a stable condition late yesterday afternoon.

    Mr Pollard will reportedly undergo emergency surgery tonight after losing one arm below the elbow and his other hand. The Bunbury local was meant to play in his team’s grand final this weekend.

    The attack occurred at unpatrolled Kelpids Beach in Wylie Bay, a popular surfing and fishing spot about 6km east of Esperance on WA’s south coast which is only accessible via 4WD.

    The Department of Fisheries says a second large white shark, about 3m, was caught on drum lines in the same area a 3-4.5m shark was hooked yesterday afternoon. Both sharks were killed and will be taken to Perth for research purposes.

    Read Perth Now

    http://youtu.be/Fm7TF6flA98

  • Five people have been rescued from Galway Bay in the Republic of Ireland after what has been described as a dolphin “attack”.

    The swimmers were taken to shore after the incident off Blackrock Tower at Salthill, Galway, on Wednesday evening.

    Witnesses said the dolphin circled the swimmers then swam at them in an “intimidating way”.

    The swimmers were not seriously injured but were left frightened by the encounter.

    A member of the public contacted the Irish coastguard shortly before 19:30 BST and they asked the Galway RNLI lifeboat for help.

    When the RNLI arrived at the scene, a local fishing vessel had separated the dolphin from the swimmers.

    Galway RNLI said: “The lifeboat joined the fishing vessel in keeping the dolphin away from the swimmers until they made it safely ashore.

    “Reports from people who witnessed the incident say the dolphin had circled the swimmers then swam at them in an intimidating way and glancing off them, coming and going, with his tail and nose.

    “The swimmers were very shook up by the incident and one in particular was very shocked but did not require medical assistance.”

    In a statement to the media, the RNLI described the incident as an “attack”.

    Read The BBC, thejournal.ie, Belfast Telegraph

    Photo by Just Taken Pics