US Olympic swimmer Feigen apologizes for Rio scandal

LOS ANGELES -- US swimmer James Feigen apologized Wednesday for his actions with three other gold medalists in a controversial incident during the Rio Olympics.

"First and foremost I would like to apologize for the serious distractions from the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, and Team USA," Feigen said in a statement.

"I want to thank the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the people of Rio de Janeiro for their hospitality in hosting these games," he said. "I have nothing but respect for the city."

Feigen recounted what had happened in events that began on August 14, when he and Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Ryan Lochte stopped at a gasoline station after leaving a party in the wee hours of the morning.

Lochte, who has since taken full responsibility for giving a false account of how they had been robbed at gunpoint, has lost sponsorship deals from companies such as swimwear maker Speedo over the scandal.

Feigen said that the swimmers had left the party at about 5:00 am in a taxi to go back to the Olympic Village, and had asked the driver "to pull over so we could relieve ourselves."

The driver stopped at a gas station but the bathroom door was locked, the 26-year-old swimmer said.

"We did not force entry into the bathroom, nor did we ever enter the bathroom. We did, however, make the regrettable decision to urinate in the grass behind the building," Feigen said.

"On our way back to the cab, Ryan Lochte pulled a poster in a metal frame off a wall," he said.

- 'Terrified' -

A man with a gun spoke with the cab driver and the athletes paid the driver and got out of the car.

"As I walked away, the man with the gun pointed it at me and my teammate and ordered us, in Portuguese, to sit," he said.

"This was the first time I have ever had a gun pointed at me and I was terrified.

"I put my hands up and sat down on the curb. It became apparent that the man with the gun was telling us to pay, and I was unsure if they were affiliated with the gas station."

Feigen said that he and Bentz gave the man some money and then were allowed to leave.

Later that day, a Rio police detective came to the USA House to take a statement and since he was the only person available, Feigen said, he was told by a US Olympic Committee official to provide a statement.

"In this statement, I omitted the facts that we urinated behind the building and that Ryan Lochte pulled a poster off the wall," he said. "I was trying to protect my teammates."

Feigen said that later his US passport was confiscated by Brazilian authorities.

A Brazilian court gave him two options: one to remain in Brazil while the police continued the investigation, estimated to take at least a month.

The second option was to pay a fine of $31,250 for the return of his passport and perform 15 days of community service. He rejected both offers.

In the end, he said, all parties agreed to a $10,800 fine, which was paid promptly.

"I am very thankful to be home in the United States with my family and that this ordeal has come to an end," he said.

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Hope Solo hit with six-month ban over 'cowards' comments

U.S. Soccer handed goalkeeper Hope Solo a six-month ban from internationals on Wednesday after she branded opponents Sweden "a bunch of cowards" at this month's Rio Olympics.

The Swedes beat the United States 4-3 in a shootout on Aug. 12 to move into the semi-finals at the Rio Games, denying the Americans a chance to win a fourth straight Olympic title.

"The comments by Hope Solo after the match against Sweden during the 2016 Olympics were unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our national team players," U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement.


"Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect. We expect all of our representatives to honour those principles, with no exceptions.

"Taking into consideration the past incidents involving Hope, as well as the private conversations we've had requiring her to conduct herself in a manner befitting a U.S. national team member, U.S. Soccer determined this is the appropriate disciplinary action."

Solo, who was previously suspended for 30 days in early 2015 for her conduct, would start her suspension immediately, U.S. Soccer said.

The 35-year-old hit the headlines in January last year over a domestic violence case that was dismissed after she pleaded not guilty to striking her sister and nephew during a dispute at her home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.

Solo, who played on Olympic gold medal-winning teams in 2008 and 2012, said in a statement to Sports Illustrated she was "saddened" by the ban.

"For 17 years, I dedicated my life to the U.S. women's national team and did the job of a pro athlete the only way I knew how - with passion, tenacity, an unrelenting commitment to be the best goalkeeper in the world, not just for my country, but to elevate the sport for the next generation of female athletes.

"In those commitments, I have never wavered."

Following the United States' exit from the Rio Games tournament, Solo told the magazine she was proud of her team mates for coming back from a goal down to draw 1-1 but was highly critical of Sweden's tactics.

"I'm very proud of this team," she said.

"But I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today," said Solo, who later confirmed in a Tweet she had made the comments after the match in Brasilia.

"Sweden dropped off. They did not want open play. They didn't want to pass the ball. They didn't want to play great soccer."

As a result of her suspension, Solo will not be eligible for selection to the U.S. national team until February next year.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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Neymar's nerves of steel hand Brazil first football gold

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Neymar struck the winning penalty as Brazil claimed a first ever Olympic football gold medal with victory over Germany on penalties at Rio's Maracana on Saturday.

The 5-4 shoot-out win exacted revenge for a humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany two years ago.

Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world champions Brazil in their history.

But Barcelona star Neymar righted that historical wrong as he fired the winning penalty into the top corner before breaking into tears.

In front of the biggest crowd of Rio's Games, including nine-time Jamaican gold medalist Usain Bolt, Neymar's brilliant free-kick handed Brazil a first-half lead.

In honor of the retiring sprinting great, Neymar even adopted the "lightning bolt" celebration, whilst chants of "ole, ole, ole, Neymar" rang around Rio's most iconic arena.

However, Germany captain Max Meyer enjoyed a special celebration of his own as he taunted the raucous 78,000 crowd at the Maracana by kissing the number seven on his shirt when he swept home Jeremy Toljan's cross just before the hour mark.

The first eight penalties in the shootout were all successful before Brazil goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen's effort to set the stage for Neymar.

And he didn't disappoint as, with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he rifled the ball into the top corner.

In stark contrast to the empty seats on show across the Games, even at times when Bolt has been running, there wasn't a seat to be had at the Maracana -- where Germany won the World Cup against Lionel Messi's Argentina two years ago.

However, it was for the 7-1 mauling in Belo Horizonte five days previously that Brazil were seeking revenge.

None of the players that took to the field that day started on Saturday.

Neymar missed the darkest day in Brazil's football history due to two broken bones in his back suffered during a bruising quarter-final win over Colombia.

Yet, the good fortune that escaped Brazil on home soil two years ago was certainly with them in the first-half as Germany were desperately unlucky to go in behind at the break.

Julian Brandt's fine curling effort came back off the bar, whilst Sven Bender also hit the woodwork from close range.

In between times, Neymar had opened the scoring via the bar with a sumptuous dipping effort from 25 yards for his third goal of the tournament.

Weverton made a fine save from Meyer and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos was fortunate when his mishit clearance flew inches over his own crossbar.

However, Weverton was beaten for the first time in the competition just before the hour mark when Meyer swept home Toljan's low cross.

Brazil piled on the pressure in the final half hour of normal time as Gabriel Jesus turned Renato Augusto's dangerous cross just wide, substitute Felipe Anderson fluffed his lines and Neymar's effort from distance flew just off target.

The hosts had the better chances in extra-time too as Luan burst clear only to see his shot blocked before Anderson was denied when one-on-one with Horn.

Thankfully for Rogerio Micale's men they were far more clinical from the spot as Augusto, Marquinhos, Rafinha and Luan all netted to hand Neymar the chance to live up to his billing as the host's poster boy for the Games.

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Lochte sorry for behavior in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO - U.S. gold medalist swimmer Ryan Lochte on Friday apologized for his behavior at the Olympics after being accused by Brazilian police of inventing a story about an armed robbery to cover for bad behavior at a gas station.

"I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself, and for that am sorry to my team mates," he said on Instagram.

Lochte, together with fellow U.S. swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen, are accused of having fabricated a story about being robbed by gunmen posing as policemen.

Surveillance footage and an investigation by Brazilian authorities showed that they had vandalized a gas station bathroom and had handed over money to armed security guards who had prevented them from leaving.

In his apology, Lochte, 32, described the night as "traumatic".

"It's traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country - with a language barrier - and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave," he said.

"But regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my team mates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event."

Lochte, Bentz and Conger have returned to the United States, while Feigen was still in Brazil on Friday morning. Feigen had agreed to pay $11,000 to a Brazilian charity, police said. His passport would be released upon providing a receipt.

It was unclear what, if any, agreement Lochte had made with Brazilian authorities. After arriving in North Carolina on Tuesday, the swimmer has not been seen, apart from giving an interview with Matt Lauer on the "Today Show", which is yet to be aired.

He ended his apology posted Thursday by saying: "There has already been too much said and too many valuable resources dedicated to what happened last weekend, so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes."

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Marta in tears as Sweden dump Brazil in penalty shoot-out

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Sweden ended a disconsolate Marta's dreams of guiding Brazil's women to a first Olympic football gold medal Tuesday with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win to set up a final with Germany.

The five-time world player of the year walked off in tears after the upset before 70,000 people in a stunned Maracana stadium.

Brazil thrashed the Swedes 5-1 in the group stages but were held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw. As in their quarter-final win over Australia, they forced to go through the agony of penalties.

Unlike against the Australians, Marta converted from the spot, but then saw her ambition of capping a glorious career by finally winning a major international title devastated.


"There is no way to describe the feeling of frustration," said Brazil coach Vadao.

Marta, who has played her club football in Sweden for the past four years, was consoled by Swedish players, whilst the huge Maracana crowd gave their defeated team a huge ovation.

Cristiane, the Olympics' all-time top scorer, and Andressa saw spot-kicks saved by Hedvig Lindahl after neither side could score a goal in 120 minutes.

Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning penalty to secure a place in the final and Sweden's first women's football Olympic medal.

Germany also avenged a group stage defeat in the other semi-final. Goals from tournament top scorer Melanie Behringer and Sara Daebritz confined Canada to a 2-0 defeat and another battle for the bronze they won in London four years ago against Brazil in Sao Paolo on Friday.

Brazil's women were playing for just the second time at Maracana and Marta hopes the momentum built-up for the women's version of the game in football-mad Brazil is not halted by the disappointment.

"Nothing will take the shine off the work we did during the whole year," Marta told SporTV.

- 'Brazil means football' -

"This is a glorious moment for women's football. It is everybody's dream to play here," added Vadao.

"It is full of tradition. It is a cultural thing in Brazil, it is a symbol. Maracana means Brazil and Brazil means football. It is quite a moment and I am just sorry we didn't make it to the final."

There was delight for Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who can now win a third straight gold medal after leading the United States to victory in 2008 and 2012.

"It is very emotional. I have been in China and London in Olympic finals, but with a team everyone expected to do well.

"The road we have taken has been different, a wonderful trip with one or two upsets."

Sweden's hero Lindahl described the baking sun in Salvador during the Scandinavians' shock penalties quarter-final win over the USA three-time gold medallists as "her enemy".

Lindahl suffers from vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment, making the skin particularly sensitive in the sun.

And she was under fire in the Rio heat as early Brazilian attacks peppered the Sweden goal.

Lindahl even had to endure chants of "Zika" from the home fans, which had been previously reserved for outspoken USA 'keeper Hope Solo.

Marta inspired the 5-1 group stage thrashing of Sweden with two goals, but despite their dominance the ball would not go in for the hosts as Marta, Beatriz and Debinha all came close.

Solo castigated Sweden as "cowards" for their defensive display in the last eight, but that seemed to only strengthen the resolve of Sundhage's women as they barely threatened the Brazilian goal.

"It is not for me to criticise the opponent, especially because their strategy worked and they had good results in both matches," said Vadao graciously.

Vadao introduced Cristiane for extra-time despite doubts over her fitness after missing the quarter-final through injury.

The gamble backfired, though, as she couldn't add to the 14 goals she has scored across four Games from the spot. And when Lindahl parried Andressa's effort, Dahlkvist coolly slotted home to silence the Maracana.

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Bolt continues quest as Taylor, Perkovic retain titles

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Usain Bolt took the next step in his quest for a "triple triple" of sprint golds on Tuesday as American Christian Taylor and Croat Sandra Perkovic both retained their Olympic crowns.

Bolt, fresh from winning the 100m title for an unprecedented third time, safely came through the first round of his favoured event, the 200m.

Running in lane five of heat eight of 10, the 29-year-old coasted home in 20.28 seconds. American rivals Justin Gatlin and Lashawn Merritt also qualified for Wednesday's semi-finals, with the final slated for Thursday.

"It's a morning session and I'm not really a morning person. I just came out to qualify and that's what I did," said Bolt, praising the scheduling.

"I'm surprised it's so settled. Normally we have to do two rounds in one day. It's actually much better for the 200m so we have time to recover over the days.

"For me it's easy I've been doing it for years. You just celebrate on the night, just be happy and then you refocus the next day to go again."

The morning session's two medal events went the way of defending champions.

In the triple jump, Taylor set a season's best 17.86 metres with his first leap, good enough to beat compatriot Will Claye in a repeat of their one-two finish in London four years ago.

"The job is done," said Taylor. "Back to back, it's very special."

Claye celebrated his silver by proposing to long-time girlfriend, hurdler Queen Harrison.

"I woke up this morning and said today is going to be the best day of my life," he said. "It was stressful, man, because I didn't know if she was going to say yes or not."

The women's discus went the way of Perkovic, the Croat in imperious form as she dominated the competition, her best of 69.21m out-distancing France's Melina Robert Michon (66.73m) and world champion Denia Caballero of Cuba (65.34) by some way.

Elsewhere on the track, Ethiopia's newly-crowned 10,000m champion and world record holder Almaz Ayana moved closer to a distance double as she won her 5000m heat in 15:04.35 to progress to Friday's final.

Defending silver medallist and two-time former world champion Vivian Cheruiyot, silver medallist behind Ayana in the longer distance in Rio, Hellen Obiri and Mercy Cherono will make up a strong Kenyan contingent.

Algerian defending champion Taoufik Makhloufi overcame just two hours sleep after bagging silver in the 800m to advance from round one of the 1500m.

Makhloufi, who came in second in the 800m behind David Rudisha late Monday, timed 3min 47.07sec to win his heat.

"I had some massage after the 800m," he said.

"I was in my bed at 4 o'clock in the morning and I slept only two hours!

"This part between the 800m and the heats of the 1500m was always going to be the most difficult part in qualifying for the semi-finals of the latter."

Makhloufi's main rival will likely be Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, 2008 gold medallist and three-time defending world champion, who won his 1500m heat easily in 3:38.97.

Brazilian hopes of an Olympic pole vault double came to an abrupt end when home medal hope Fabiana Murer bombed out of the women's qualifying competition after failing to register a mark.

Rio's Olympic Stadium lit up Monday when Murer's teammate Thiago Braz Da Silva trumped Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie for gold in the men's competition with an Olympic record of 6.03m.

Murer, world silver medallist last year in Beijing, failed to live up to expectations however.

The 35-year-old skipped the three first entry marks of 4.15, 4.30 and 4.45m, coming in at 4.55m.

But she failed with her three attempts at the height, well below her personal best of 4.87m which she vaulted this season.

There was no such drama for current world and Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr of the United States, Cuba's defending Olympic silver medallist Yarisley Silva and European champion Ekaterini Stefanidi who all comfortably vaulted the qualifying mark of 4.60m.

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Tabuena's best round lifts him to 53rd overall in Rio

MANILA, Philippines – Miguel Tabuena finally broke par at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, but it was not enough for him to get the result he hoped for in the 2016 Olympics.

Tabuena hit five birdies against four bogeys for a one-under-par 70, and a four-day total of 291 after previous rounds of 73, 75, and 73 under various circumstances.

His round on Sunday was his best in Rio.

Tabuena, the reigning Philippine Open champion, finished the 72-hole tournament in 53rd place among 60 qualifiers from all over the world.

Great Britain's Justin Rose won the gold medal, followed by Henrik Stenson of Sweden, and Matt Kuchar of the United States.

For the 21-year-old Tabuena, his experience in Rio – his first Olympics – is part of the learning process, and he vows to do better if given another chance in the future.

"It's a dream come true to represent the country here," he said. "I will be more ready next time, hopefully in the (2020) Tokyo Olympics.

Tabuena birdied Nos. 3, 5, 8, 16 and 18 "inside five to ten feet," but bogeyed Nos. 2, 4, 6, and 10, mostly on "missed greens."

"I was targeting every pin, because I just wanted to shoot as low as I could today," said Tabuena, who played three rounds with a hurting shoulder. "There was no holding back.

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, won the gold medal with a 268 total on rounds of 67, 69, 65 and 67, which was 16-under for the tournament, while reigning French Open champion Stenson won the silver with 270 (66-68-68-68).

Kuchar had the day's best round of 63 built of six birdies, an eagle and no bogey. In all, 38 players broke par on the final round, including Tabuena.

"The game plan was to attack the pin. I promised the guys back home that I will not give up. I didn't, and I shot my best round today," Tabuena said.

"I'm still in the process of learning whether I'm trying too hard or I'm not trying too hard," added Tabuena, who is now set to compete in the European Tour later this month.

Tabuena had little time to rest after four days out on the course because he took a flight out of Rio de Janeiro to Manila past midnight Sunday.

He left with his swing coach, Joel Altea, caddy Casey Besset; and swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna and coach Archie Lim.

Slowly, the Athletes Village here had seen athletes, by themselves or by busloads, leave for home. Jasmine Alkhaldi, the Filipina swimmer, flies back to Hawaii with her coach Jennifer Buffin Monday; while boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez with coach Boy Velasco flies home August 15.

Still in Rio representing the country are track and field's Eric Cray in the men's 400m hurdles and Marestella Torres Sunang in women's long jump; and taekwondo bet Kirstie Elaine Alora.

Cray will be in Heat 4 of the men's 400 hurdles at around 12 noon Monday (11 p.m. Monday in Manila). He hopes to get to the semis, to be made up of three heats, leading to the finals scheduled on Thursday.

Sunang vies in women's long jump on Tuesday, and Alora in the +67 kg of women's taekwondo on August 20.

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Murray set for historic match, Puig wins first gold for Puerto Rico

RIO DE JANEIRO - Britain's Andy Murray set up a meeting with Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the Olympics men's tennis final on Sunday, as he aims to become the first player to retain the singles title.

Meanwhile, Monica Puig clinched the women's singles gold medal for Puerto Rico, defeating Germany's Angelique Kerber. With the victory, the U.S. territory won its first ever Olympic gold medal, and its ninth medal in history.

Del Potro, who entered the Olympic tournament unseeded but gained a huge boost of confidence by defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round, earned his spot in the finals by narrowly defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal.

Ranked 141st in the world after two years plagued by injury, Del Potro came back from a set down against Nadal to win the day, prevailing in a tense tie-break in the decisive third set.

The 27-year-old Argentine, who stands 6 feet 6 inches (1.98m), deployed his barrelling serve and crushing forehand to outmatch Nadal 5-7 6-4 7-6(5).

If he can muster the same kind of power against Murray, the Olympic final is likely to be a thriller.

Murray, 29, defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland to win the gold medal in men's singles in London, where Del Potro was the bronze medallist.

Asked about the prospect of winning a second straight Olympic singles gold, Murray said: "It would mean a lot. It's obviously not an easy thing to do - that's why it has not been done before."

Murray's victory on Saturday was far easier for him. He defeated Japan's Kei Nishikori in a commanding display.

The Wimbledon champion and world No. 2 broke Nishikori's serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1.

Murray served aggressively and quickly closed out the match 6-1 6-4, never giving Nishikori a single chance to break back.

"I think I played really well," Murray told reporters after the match. "I didn't give him any opportunities on my serves and I was very aggressive when I was returning."

BLUE-AND-WHITE FANS

 In the battle between Del Potro and Nadal, the players traded long, bruising rallies to split the first two sets, and each broke the other's serve in the final set. Nadal came up short in the tie-break.

Del Potro has created trouble for the Spanish star before, beating him on his way to a victory at the U.S. Open in 2009, but the Argentine's performance has been inconsistent since that year, and he has been hampered by injury for most of the last two years.

"It means something very big for my career," Del Potro told reporters. "I didn't expect to reach the final beating Djokovic and Rafa."

Del Potro seemed to draw energy from a blue-and-white-clad contingent of fans from Argentina, whose loud chanting from the rafters - typical of Argentine soccer matches - at times drew rebukes from the chair umpire on Saturday.

He entreated the crowd to "treat both players fairly," and at one point reminded them that "this is a tennis match."

Nadal has already claimed a gold medal in Rio with a doubles victory on Friday with partner Marc Lopez. The Spaniard has shown tremendous grit throughout the Rio tournament after months without training. Prior to the Games, Nadal was sidelined with a wrist injury that forced him to sit out Wimbledon this year.

"I just congratulate Del Potro for a great, great event for him," Nadal said after the loss. "I just tried my best until the end, and I'm very satisfied."

PUERTO RICO'S PUIG WINS TERRITORY'S FIRST GOLD

In the Olympic women's singles final, Puerto Rico's Puig defeated Kerber in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, to win the island's first gold medal. With the win, Puig also became the first woman ever to win a medal for Puerto Rico.

Twenty-two-year-old Puig, ranked No. 34 in the world, went into the match as the underdog against Kerber, this year's Australian Open champion.

To reach the final, Puig had already defeated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the semi-finals along the way.

Puig put on an impressive performance on Rio's centre court, amid cheers of "Si, se puede" ("Yes, you can") from fans waving Puerto Rican flags. She was able to hit ground stroke winners from all over the court, often painting the lines, and leaving Kerber, the world's No. 2 female player, struggling to effectively deploy her signature, punchy counter-attacking style of play.

Also on Saturday, Kvitova of Czech Republic defeated Madison Keys of the United States to win the bronze medal in the women's draw in three sets, 7-5 2-6 6-2.

American Venus Williams also secured a spot in the mixed doubles final scheduled for Sunday. Win or lose, Williams will become the second tennis player in history to claim five medals at the Olympics.

(Additional reporting by Drazen Jorgic.; Editing by Alison Williams and Bill Rigby)

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Schooling beats Phelps, wins first gold for Singapore

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Joseph Schooling won the men's 100 meters butterfly final on Friday to secure Singapore's first Olympic gold medal and deny Michael Phelps a 23rd in the last individual race of the American's extraordinary career.

Phelps, the defending champion and world record holder who is heading into retirement -- again -- after Rio, finished second in a three-way dead heat with two of his greatest rivals -- South Africa's Chad Le Clos and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh.

Astonishingly, all three touched out in 51.14 seconds, behind Schooling's Olympic record 50.39.

Phelps, who now has 27 medals, had been hoping to win the event for the fourth successive Games.

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Rio Olympics: Golfer Tabuena fires 2-over 73 in 1st round

Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena is in joint 42nd place after shooting a 2-over par 73 in the first round of the competition at the Olympic Golf Course in Brazil on Thursday.

He joined seven other golfers who include world No. 6 Bubba Watson after four bogeys in the back nine, according to a report from Spin.

Tabuena was off to a good start with a 2-under card after the front nine, but the winds made it tough for the Filipino golfer, who missed the green on his third shot at the par-5 10th leading to his first bogey of the round.

Tabuena also had bogeys in the 13th, 16th, and 18th.

Meanwhile, Marcus Fraser of Australia ran off four straight birdies to finish with an 8-under 63, which set an Olympic record.

Fraser enjoys a three-shot lead over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

Tabuena plans to bounce back on the second round, which tees off Friday night (Philippine time).

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Phelps writes new page with four wins in same event

Michael Phelps of the United States won the Olympic 200 meters individual medley on Thursday to capture the 22nd gold medal of his career and become the first swimmer to win the same event at four consecutive Games.

Japan's 400 IM champion Kosuke Hagino won silver and Wang Shun of China took bronze, both moving dramatically through the field on the final length after turning in fifth and seventh place.

It was yet another extraordinary swim for Phelps, 31, who has now won two individual and two relay golds at his fifth Olympics, two years after coming out of retirement.

His medal haul has now risen to 26, including two silvers and two bronzes, with the 100 butterfly final still to come on Friday. Thirteen of his golds have come in individual races, the rest in relays.

"Right now I don't know how to wrap my head around that. I don't know what to say. It's been a hell of a career," Phelps told reporters, while acknowledging the strain on his 31-year-old body.

"That hurt a lot ... my body is in pain, my legs are hurting, I'm tired."

Despite winning four golds in London in 2012, Phelps has said he was dissatisfied with his preparation and results there and wants to bow out on his own terms.

"The biggest thing for me through the meet so far is I've been able to kind of finish how I wanted to. I've been able to come back and I've been able to accomplish things that I just dreamt of," he said.

"GREATEST EVER"

He was lauded by the Rio crowd, with one banner proclaiming "Phelps Greatest Olympian Ever". At the medal ceremony he swayed slightly and breathed deeply, his eyes moist, as he listened to the U.S. anthem.

Phelps then raised his arms to salute the crowd as fiancee Nicole cradled their baby son Boomer in the stands.

There was little time to savor the moment, however, as he raced back off the pool deck to get ready for the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly, which he also has the chance to win for a fourth successive Games.

He finished second in his semi-final to qualify fifth fastest for Friday's final.

In the medley, Brazil's Thiago Pereira went off fastest, leading from Phelps after the butterfly leg, with Ryan Lochte of the United States and Hagino neck-and-neck just behind.

With the Rio crowd's excitement mounting, the three turned almost together after the backstroke, with Lochte just 0.01 seconds ahead.

Phelps led from Pereira and Lochte at the final turn and powered on as the other two faded, opening the way for Hagino and Wang to grab the two other medals.

Phelps clocked one minute, 54.66 for a comfortable winning margin of 1.95 seconds.

Japan's Hiromasa Fujimori was fourth and Lochte fifth in the last individual race of his long career, with a flagging Pereira seventh.

Phelps' four consecutive golds in the same event are unique for a swimmer, and place him in the same Olympic pantheon as fellow-Americans Al Oerter in the discus and Carl Lewis in the long jump.
(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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Ledecky gets third gold, Franklin a first in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO - Freestyle queen Katie Ledecky won her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics by anchoring the U.S. women to victory in the 4x200 meters freestyle relay on Wednesday while struggling Missy Franklin opened her account without being in the water for the final.

Australia, who led until Ledecky dived in and turned the race around, took silver and Canada the bronze.

The U.S. were the defending champions but only veteran Allison Schmitt, who swam the leadoff leg in Rio, was in the race lineup from that London 2012 golden quartet that also beat Australia into second place.


Leah Smith and Maya DiRado swam second and third respectively before Ledecky, who won the 400 freestyle on Sunday and 200 free on Tuesday, brought home the gold with a typically powerful swim from behind.

Franklin, who won four golds in London four years ago but suffered a dramatic loss of form at the U.S. trials, swam in the heats and collected a gold for doing so despite being dropped for the final.

So too did Melanie Margalis and Cierra Runge.

"It's such a great honour to be a part of a USA relay team," said Ledecky, still only 19 but the outstanding female swimmer on the U.S. team.

"I think I was prepared for any circumstance, whether we were ahead or behind. I just knew that these three girls were going to put me in a good position to finish it out and I knew I could do it," she added.

"It's so easy to get up and swim fast when you're swimming for three other people."

China led at the start before Australia, with Emma McKeon swimming the second leg, handed over in the lead to Bronte Barratt.

With DiRado closing in on Barratt but still behind, Ledecky had work to do and she went about it with a vengeance to take the lead with just over 100 metres to go and then powering home in seven minutes, 43.03 seconds.

Tamsin Cook touched out for Australia in 7:44.87 and Canada's anchor Penny Oleksiak finished close behind in 7:45.39 with China fourth.

DiRado's gold completed her set, having already earned a silver and bronze in the two women's individual medleys.

"I was so excited to get the call up today to be on this relay," said DiRado.

"It was a dream to be on a U.S. relay and to win gold. I'm just so happy I didn't mess it up and I gave Katie a chance.

"We've got the rainbow now," she added. "It feels really good."

The race may have been Schmitt's last swim but she was not ready to confirm anything.

"I am grateful for where I am right now, to be able to stand up there and hear our national anthem is something I am definitely soaking in," she said.

"I think my emotions are so high right now that I just want to soak that in and figure out the rest later."

(Additional reporting by Amy Tennery, editing by Greg Stutchbury)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Inspiring Olympian mom snatches third gold

RIO DE JANEIRO - On the one hand there was Kristin Armstrong, hoping to complete a fairytale return to road cycling with a third consecutive Olympic time trial gold the day before her 43rd birthday.

On the other there was Olga Zabelinskaya, a Russian rider with a doping past who was nearly booted out of the Games.

So when Armstrong, the last of the field to tackle the 29.7km course on a wild and wet day next to the Atlantic breakers, crossed the finish line five seconds quicker than Zabelinskaya had managed it felt fitting in so many ways.

Not only had Armstrong become the first rider to win the same road event at three different Olympics -- providing a fillip for all 40 somethings to boot -- she also spared the Games what would have been a controversial victory.

Double London medallist Zabelinskaya, who served an 18-month suspension for a banned stimulant and who got a last-gasp reprieve to compete after the IOC's attempt to ban Russia's previous dopers collapsed, had looked poised for victory.

She was almost celebrating at the finish, only to watch Armstrong, pedalling like fury, roar home in 44 minutes 26.42 seconds before collapsing on to the tarmac in exhaustion.

Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen confirmed her reputation as women's cycling's new force by adding a bronze medal to the gold she took in Sunday's road race, finishing 11 seconds back.

But the day belonged to Armstrong.

She retired in 2009 to start a family but returned to win gold in London before calling it a day again.

After a three-year break and three hip surgeries she made another comeback last year with an eye on Rio.

No wonder she cried with joy at the finish where she cuddled her son Lucas, who she later admitted had preferred watching the fencing because he thought it looked like Star Wars.

DIFFICULT JOURNEY

"It's amazing, I don't know if it has hit me yet," Armstrong told reporters after hugging her five-year-old son and holding up a sign that said "USA STRONG".

"This has been the most difficult journey. I took time off. The mind gets tired. So when I came back I was focused on Rio and it's been difficult because I've had some poor performances over the last six months."

The race was run in treacherous conditions but thankfully there were none of the accidents that marred the road race although former world champion Ellen van Dijk fell into the roadside foliage when riding uphill.

Armstrong used all her vast experience to tackle two tough climbs and stayed calm as the seconds ticked away on the run-in.

"When I looked out of the window at 4am I thought, 'Oh!' But I had two choices, get nervous, or say I'm the most experienced person out here and just attack it."

Zabelinskaya, who finished third in the road race and time trial in London, was also in tears at the end.

She warmly congratulated her American rival though and the greeting was returned despite some riders openly questioning why Zabelinskaya was racing, given the IOC's pre-Games stance.

"I didn't really think about (the doping issue)," Armstrong, the oldest female Olympic cycling champion, said.

"Olga gave me a hug on the podium and said 'I saw your son' and she said it made her smile.

"You can get really stressed out around what somebody is or is not doing so I just try to eliminate those thoughts."

Zabelinskaya said she was "happy" to end a traumatic week with a medal, having been about to board a plane home for Russia two days before the Games started.

"I am also disappointed that I could not win the gold medal because it is only five seconds to first place," she said. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Easy win brings tough question for Team USA

RIO DE JANEIRO - The U.S. women's basketball team faced their sternest test of the Rio Games and tougher questions after beating Serbia 110-84 on Wednesday to remain on course for a sixth successive gold.

After winning their opening two games by an average of 52 points, the Americans had to settle for a more modest 26-point margin of victory against the 14th ranked Serbs.

But in the wake of a third consecutive blowout, and their 44th successive victory in the Olympics, American players were once again facing uneasy questions about the lack of depth, quality and competitiveness in the women's game and its place on the Olympic program.

"I don't even know how to answer anymore," said Diana Taurasi who scored a game high 25 points. "Would it (be) better if we lost by 50?

"We have 12 women who dedicate their lives to the game of basketball year around. To knock us for doing that?

"That's a bit disrespectful, I would say."

After two close losses to Spain and Canada, the Serbs (0-3) looked determined to at least make the U.S. work for the win.

In the end no amount of grit could save the 2015 EuroBasket champions from succumbing to the same fate as every other team that has gone up against the U.S. at the last six Olympics.

"They didn't win the European championship for no reason," said Angel McCoughtry.

"It might look like a big margin, but it doesn't feel like it. Those games are hard."

Having scored more than 100 points in all three games so far, the U.S. received offensive contributions up and down their lineup with all 12 players scoring, led by Taurasi who made six three-pointers.

In other Group B action, Spain eased past China 89-68.

(Reporting by Steve Keating; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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Argentina go 2-0 but Spain lose again

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Argentina and Lithuania stayed unbeaten but two-time runner-up Spain’s Olympic basketball hopes took a hit Tuesday with a surprise loss to hosts Brazil.

Luis Scola scored 13 of his 23 points in the first-quarter to stake an early lead for the Argentines, who were more in-synch than Croatia and buoyed again by boisterous fans from their nearby homeland.

Argentina stretched the advantage to as much as 20 in the third quarter before holding off a late Croatian push in a day of Group B play.

“It’s like a home game,” guard Carlos Delfino said of the pulsating fan support. “I think only Brazil might have that kind of support (at the Rio Games).”

For the second straight game, Spain went down on a last-second play. Brazil’s Marcus Marquinhos tipped in a missed shot with five seconds left for a thrilling 66-65 victory in front of a charged-up home crowd.

Spain’s Sergio Llull then missed from inside the paint at the buzzer to seal a contest that dropped the Spaniards to 0-2. Spain – Olympic runners-up to the United States in 2008 and 2012 – also lost to Croatia 72-70 when a shot by NBA star Pau Gasol was blocked at the buzzer.

The USA team of NBA players is heavily favoured to win the tournament for the third straight Olympics. They are 2-0 and in command of Group A after defeating China and Venezuela by a combined 101 points.

Next up for Argentina is a battle for Group B supremacy with Lithuania, which moved to 2-0 with a 89-80 defeat of Nigeria.

Mantas Kalnietis and Jonas Maciulis each scored 21 points for Lithuania, which held off a late Nigerian rally. Argentina is the only country since 1988 to take home Olympic gold other than the USA, winning in 2004.

The Brooklyn Nets’ Scola, 36, 39-year-old Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, and Delfino – veterans of the 2004 team – are leading what will be their final Olympic quest. Spain’s Gasol, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, was so mercilessly taunted by Brazilian fans that it prompted a post-game apology from game-winner Marquinhos.

“I understand the crowd. We are hosting the Olympics,” Maquinhos said. “But I would like to apologise in the name of the Brazilian people. I know that it was not disrespectful. Here in Brazil we tend to go after the best player of the other team.”

The raucous crowd appeared to unsettle Gasol, who was just 5-of-12 from the free-throw line. Spain had once talked of dethroning the USA and it entered as Group B favourites but must now struggle to simply reach the quarters.

They will try to resuscitate those flagging hopes in their next game against fellow 0-2 Nigeria.

“I trust my teammates. We don’t have to be in a bad way,” Spain’s Rudy Fernandez said. “We have a chance to win the title if we win the next three games.”

Brazil captain Marcelinho Huertas led his team with 11 points and seven assists.

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Sealed with a kiss as Phelps makes it 21 golds

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Michael Phelps captured his 20th Olympic gold medal in devastating fashion Tuesday, sealing victory with a kiss, before adding a staggering 21st before the night was over.

The American crushed rival Chad le Clos to regain his 200 metres butterfly title, celebrating victory in a race bristling with tension by pointing to the sky and gesturing to the Rio crowd to "bring the noise" -- an order they duly obeyed.

Katinka Hosszu and Katie Ledecky struck further blows for girl power, but again it was all about Phelps, who later anchored the American 4x200 freestyle relay team to gold as the clock edged toward midnight local time.

Milking the acclaim of the Brazilian crowd, Phelps climbed past the massed bank of poolside photographers to kiss fiancee Nicole and baby Boomer after an emotional medals ceremony.

Entering the arena like a gladiator, his face a granite mask of concentration, Phelps dominated a grudge final le Clos had billed as "Ali versus Frazier" to become the oldest individual swimming gold medallist in Olympic history at 31.

South African Le Clos, who won by a fingertip four years ago in London to rob the American of a hat-trick of titles, faded badly down the stretch to finish out of the medals.

World record holder Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, clocked 1min 53.36sec to add to his staggering title tally as Japan's Masato Sakai came through for a surprise silver in 1:53.40. Hungary's Tamas Kenderesi took bronze in 1:53.62.

Competing in his fifth and final Olympics, victory was twice as sweet for Phelps after clashing with le Clos in the media since losing to the South African in their epic tussle in London.

- Home-run trot -

Phelps won his 19th Olympic gold in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay at the weekend and if he feels greedy, there is more potential gold for him in the 100m fly and the 200m individual medley -- events he has incredibly won at the past three Olympics.

Still, Phelps was not done, putting the finishing touch to an easy win in the 4x200m free, cruising home almost two and a half seconds ahead of Britain's James Guy in the swimming equivalent of baseball's home-run trot around the bases.

Hungary's "Iron Lady" Hosszu completed the individual medley double by winning the 200m final in an Olympic best 2:06.58, with Britain's Siobhan-Marie O'Connor taking silver in 2:06.88. Bronze went to American Maya Dirado in 2:08.79.

Ledecky captured her second gold medal of the Games after holding off a brave charge from Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom in an absorbing women's 200m freestyle final.

The American phenom, who won the 400m title with a stunning world record on day two, clocked 1:53.73 to win by 0.35 seconds from Sjostrom with Australia's Emma Mckeon taking bronze in 1:54.92.

"That was a really tough race and it hurt really badly," said Ledecky. "I'm pretty sure that's the closest I've come to throwing up in the middle of a race. I had to dig deep. I'm just so glad I got my hand on the wall first, it was all worth it."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Games bus hit by gunfire, no one seriously hurt: witnesses

RIO DE JANEIRO - A bus carrying journalists at the Rio Games was hit by gunfire on a highway between Olympic venues on Tuesday, witnesses said. No one was seriously injured in the incident.

The bus was making its way from the Games basketball venue to the main Olympic park when, according to passengers, two shots were heard hitting the vehicle. Windows shattered and flying glass left two people with minor lacerations.

"We were shot at. I mean we could hear the report of the gun," said Sherryl "Lee" Michaelson, a retired U.S. air force captain who is working for a basketball publication in Rio.

Brazilian police were not immediately available for comment.

Violent street crime in Rio has left its mark on South America's first Olympic Games. On Saturday, a bullet hit the equestrian centre, missing journalists there by just a few feet. That bullet was suspected to have been fired by a gang member trying to shoot down a police blimp or drone, officials said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Surprise in Philippines at first medal in 20 years

MANILA, Philippines -- Hidilyn Diaz sprung a major surprise in the Philippines by winning a weightlifting silver medal in Rio -- the country's first Olympic medal for 20 years, officials said Monday.

Sports analysts in the Philippines had not expected the 1.54-metre (5ft 1/2in) tall Diaz to bag a medal at the 2016 Games after coming up empty in 2008 and 2012 games.

"We had high hopes with other sports. So (Diaz's medal) is a surprise. A lot of people didn't expect she would take a medal," said Ronel Abrenica, executive-director of the Philippine Sports Commission.

But Abrenica said he noticed something from the 25-year-old, who became the first woman from the Philippines ever to win an Olympic medal.


"I was watching her before. I saw her sincerity and determination. You could see it in the way she talks. She was determined to win. She had the fire in the belly," he told AFP.

"Before she set off (for Rio), she told me, 'at least, I can get a bronze'. So this (silver) is a bonus," said Abrenica.

Diaz took the silver in the 53kg class, the first ever by a Filipino weightlifter, Abrenica said.

It was also the first Olympic medal for the Southeast Asian nation since boxer Mansueto Velasco took a silver in the 1996 games.

The two Filipino boxers in the 13-member contingent were considered to have the best chances, as boxers had won five of the country's previous nine Olympic medals, sports analysts had said.

President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Martin Andanar, congratulated Diaz, saying "hers is (an inspiring story) about overcoming shyness but for an inspired nation, her road to Rio is a journey of grit, patience and determination."

He also said that Diaz is the country's first Olympic medallist from Duterte's home southern region of Mindanao.

Diaz's victory also has monetary benefits as Philippine law provides a five million peso ($107,000) prize to Olympic silver medallists, Abrenica said.

He added that the sports commission, which is in charge of funding the country's sports programmes, was also working with "private partners" to get Diaz additional benefits.

Like other Filipino sports heroes, such as boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, Diaz can also likely count on lucrative commercial offers once she returns home, he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WORLD SPORTS: Rays to play in Havana, Venus ends Indian Wells boycott

Tampa Bay Rays to play in Havana during Obama visit

Reuters

The Tampa Bay Rays will become the first Major League Baseball franchise to play in Havana since 1999 when they face Cuba's national team in an exhibition this month coinciding with a historic visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The March 22 game, announced by MLB on Tuesday, has been planned for months. Major League Baseball, the organization that runs professional baseball in North America, said in November it would choose the Rays as the team to play in Havana if it could make a deal with the Cuban Baseball Federation.

"During a time of historic change, we appreciate the constructive role afforded by our shared passion for the game, and we look forward to experiencing Cuba's storied baseball tradition and the passion of its many loyal fans," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

The game will be played at the 45,000-seat Latin American Stadium, site of a 1999 exhibition between the Baltimore Orioles and Cuba's national team. It has been undergoing improvements, including installation of a new infield, under MLB supervision.

Obama's visit on March 21-22 will mark the first by a sitting U.S. president since 1928 and the first since Fidel Castro's rebels overthrew a pro-American government in 1959.

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Venus ends Indian Wells boycott

Agence France-Presse

Venus Williams will end her 15-year boycott of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells next week, following in the footsteps of sister Serena who returned to the event last year.

The 35-year-old former world number one has not played the prestigious Californian event since 2001, when she and Serena were booed by sections of the crowd.

Her father Richard Williams has long alleged the family was subjected to repeated racial slurs after Venus withdrew from a semi-final against Serena due to a knee injury.

Venus said she had been prompted to return after seeing the warm reception her sister received last year, when she was given a 57-second standing ovation before her opening match on Stadium Court.

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Male boxers to abandon headgear at Rio Games after 32 years

Karolos Grohmann, Reuters
For the first time in 32 years male boxers will be able trade punches without any headgear at this year's Rio Games after the International Olympic Committee sanctioned a change introduced by world boxing federation AIBA.

AIBA adopted the change for amateur fighters some three years ago but needed to bring it to the IOC Executive Board, which noted it without objection on Tuesday, essentially rubber-stamping the decision and clearing the way for Rio.

The IOC said AIBA had presented medical research that showed concussions were less likely to occur without headgear than with.

Women boxers, who first competed at the 2012 Olympics, will continue wearing their protective gear.

Mercedes unleash Rosberg in second test

Agence France-Presse
World champions Mercedes sent another signal of their continued dominance to the rest of the Formula One paddock, as Nico Rosberg was fastest on the first day of the second pre-season test in Barcelona on Tuesday.

The German and defending world champion Lewis Hamilton are sharing driving duties on each of the four days in the Catalan capital this week due to the W07's remarkable reliability.

Rosberg registered the second best time of testing so far in 1min 23.022sec as Mercedes finally used the quicker soft tyres, after completing nearly 700 laps on the first four days of testing last week on the medium compound.

"It was nice for me to be able to push some more and produce some stronger lap times," said Rosberg. "That's when it's all the more enjoyable; taking the car to the limit and really pushing. It's been a good test, reliability has been good, the speed has been there - it's all working to plan."

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Ko hopes 'role model' Tiger will bounce back

Agence France-Presse
Women's world number one Lydia Ko paid tribute to her "role model" Tiger Woods on Tuesday, expressing hope that the golf legend will recover from injury and rejoin the tour.

Speaking to AFP before the HSBC Women's Champions tournament in Singapore, the 18-year-old said that Woods has been a top ambassador for the sport.

"No matter what Tiger is going through right now, Tiger will always be Tiger. Tiger grew the game, there's a lot of players that are playing on tour or are starting the game because of Tiger," said the New Zealander, who turned pro when she was 16.

"He's been a great role model, he still is... I think what he's done to grow the game is fantastic and hopefully he'll be able to get healthy and get back on the tour," she added.

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Ivy League gridiron teams eye tackle practice ban

Agence France-Presse

American football coaches of prestigious Ivy League college teams have voted to eliminate full-contact tackling during training in a radical measure aimed at mitigating the risk of brain injury, it was reported Tuesday.

The Ivy League, which includes Harvard, Yale and Princeton amongst its eight-member conference, had already reduced the number of full-contact practices a team could hold in a 2011 crackdown.

The latest safety measure, which would ban tackling during training in the regular season, comes against a backdrop of mounting concern over the health risks associated with America's most popular sport.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Phelps battles to third in 200m freestyle at Santa Clara

Michael Phelps continued his tough road back to the Olympics as he finished third in the 200 metres freestyle final on Friday at the Pro Swim Series meet in Santa Clara, California.

Phelps swam a time of 1:49.03, behind winner Connor Jaeger (1:48.66) and Russian Nikita Lobintsev (1:48.86) at an important event for Phelps as he tries to build for the 2016 Rio Games.

He will be forced to sit out of the world championships in Kazan, Russia in August due to a drink-driving arrest last year.

Phelps will instead compete at the U.S. Championships in San Antonio.

It will be much needed competition for 18-times Olympic gold medallist Phelps who is coming off a disappointing performance in Charlotte, North Carolina where he failed to reach the championship 'A' final in both the 200m individual medley and 100 freestyle races.

He also failed to qualify for the 200 freestyle championship and finished a distant seventh in the 200 butterfly.

On the women's side in Santa Clara, Missy Franklin also finished third in the 200 freestyle final while taking eighth in the 50m backstroke in what was her first meet since March.

Franklin took a time of 1:57.02 in the freestyle, behind Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands, won in 1:55.68 and Katinka Hosszu (1:56.88) of Hungary.

Natalie Coughlin, a 12-time Olympic medalist, prevailed in the backstroke with a time of 27.51.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com