Swimming: Former world champion Magnini handed 4-year ban

ROME - Retired two times swimming world champion Filippo Magnini was handed a four-year ban by Italy's anti-doping agency on Tuesday along with ex-relay team mate Michele Santucci.

The agency, NADO Italia, announced the penalty in a statement.

Magnini, 36, won 100 meter freestyle golds at the 2005 and 2007 world championships as well as a 4x200 freestyle relay bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He retired last year.

The anti-doping prosecutor had sought an eight-year term for actual or attempted doping in a case linked to nutritionist Guido Porcellini, who was given a 30-year ban in July for anti-doping violations.

Magnini, who has not tested positive and had been a critic of doping, denied the charges and said he would appeal.

"I haven't done anything, this sentence is ridiculous," the Gazzetta dello Sport quoted him as saying. "It's a trial of intentions and I could never have imagined something like this."

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Swimming: Olympic champ Joseph Schooling moving in ‘right direction’ for 2020

JAKARTA—Joseph Schooling did not claim to have swam a perfect race in winning Singapore's first gold medal of the 18th Asian Games but he feels the victory is another stepping stone towards the defense of his 100m butterfly title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Texas-based swimmer earned Singapore's first Olympic gold medal when he won the event at the 2016 Rio Games but has since struggled with inconsistency, managing only a bronze at the world championships in Hungary last year.

Schooling said winning gold in Jakarta on Wednesday, in a Games record of 51.04, brought him "relief and joy" and hopefully signaled an end to his dip in form.

"I've been up and down over the last two years but it's part of the cycle, right? You can't always be in tip-top performance," he said at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Center late on Wednesday.

"What's important is if you're not feeling at your best, step up, grind it through and try to win the race. That's what defines a champion."

The 23-year-old, who will be going for a second gold after topping Thursday's 50m butterfly heats (23.84), plans to swim in Europe before returning home for a World Cup leg in November ahead of next year's world championships in South Korea.

"I'm heading in the right direction ... I'm starting to feel more and more comfortable, so I envision the next two years getting better and better heading into Korea and Tokyo," he added.

He was happy with his time in Jakarta, which was the fifth fastest of the year and bettered his gold-winning 51.76 at the 2014 Asian Games, but felt it was "just another stepping stone" towards his ultimate goal.

"You build on it each meet, each year and you finally get to the Olympics," he said. "This is one of the building years to get to do what I want to do in Tokyo.

"Are things going according to plan? Yes, I'd say so. I'm happy with where I'm at. I'm definitely in a lot better shape than I was last year. Hopefully I can keep building on that."

And if he needs motivation, Schooling says criticism helps.

"I think criticism is good," he said.

"If everyone's on your side, praising you, it might get to your head. But I think this is a great check and balance for me.

"(I've) always proven my critics wrong. It gives me more motivation to go to practice, to race harder, so I can prove people wrong." (Editing by Peter Rutherford )

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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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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)

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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."

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Rio is Phelps's chance to bow out on own terms

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Phelps is giving himself one last chance to get his Olympic farewell right.

It seems an odd aim for the owner of a record 22 Olympic medals, 18 of them gold.

Four gold medals and two silver in London in 2012 seemed a fitting enough finale to a career that peaked with Phelps's stunning eight-gold performance in Beijing.

But Phelps knew deep down that he could have done more four years ago, and that "haunted" feeling made it impossible for his post-London retirement to stick.


"I never wanted to have that 'what if,'" Phelps said of his decision to mount a fifth Olympic campaign in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 31.

"This journey has been incredible. Being able to fall in love with the sport again is something that I've always wanted to do, and I did it on my terms."

However, his comeback has been far from smooth -- disrupted by a drink-driving arrest that sparked a painful period of self-examination.

Phelps has emerged stronger, his renewed relationship with his estranged father resonating even more after the birth of his own son, Boomer, with fiancee Nicole Johnson in May.

"It's a cool thing for Nicole and I, for where we are in our lives," Phelps said.

His relationship with long-time coach Bob Bowman endures, with Phelps voicing absolute trust in Bowman's ability to prepare him for his last Olympic hurrah.

He has a chance to make more history as he seeks a fourth straight gold in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

The only Olympians to win four consecutive titles in the same individual event are athletes Al Oerter in the discus (1956-68) and Carl Lewis in the long jump (1984-96).

And he would love to avenge his 2012 loss to South African Chad le Clos in the 200m fly -- the first event Phelps ever swam in the Olympics -- in Sydney in 2000.

- 'This is it' -

At the peak of his career, Phelps said he was out to change his sport.

He's done so, raising swimming's profile in America with displays of individual excellence as well as thrilling duels with the likes of Ryan Lochte and Milorad Cavic.

The US Olympic trials are one testament to his success, drawing upwards of 14,000 fans per session.

But his more lasting legacy is found in the swimmers he inspired -- some of whom, like le Clos, he will race in Rio and some of whom have yet to reach the international stage.

Once the most intimidating man in the ready-room, Phelps now says he wants to mentor younger swimmers. For the first time he has been selected by his peers to serve as a captain of the US men's team.

"I just want to be able to help some of the younger guys," he said.

With swimming heading "in a direction I love," Phelps says there's "still more" for him to do.

"Do I know what that is right now? No. But I still feel that we can do more to promote this sport, even to another level than where we are right now."

But Phelps insists he knows what his future contribution won't include -- another competitive campaign.

"This is it. This is it -- no more," he vows. "The body is done. This is my last one."

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Phelps impresses in 200m fly win

SAN ANTONIO, United States - Olympic superstar Michael Phelps won the 200m butterfly at the US swimming championships on Friday in the fastest time in the world this year.

Phelps threw down a time of 1min 52.94sec -- faster than the 1:53.48 that Hungarian Laszlo Cseh posted this week to win the world title in Kazan, Russia.

Phelps was cheered wildly by fans in San Antonio, who stamped on the bleachers and screamed as he squinted to see his time.

When he did, Phelps gave a little "number one" wag of his finger, and as the cheers grew slapped the water in celebration.

Phelps's drunk-driving arrest last September cost him his world championships berth -- but swimming in a US championships that amounts to a consolation meet the 18-time Olympic gold medallist showed he's still a force to be reckoned with as swimmers look toward the 2016 Rio Games.

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US swimmer Phelps sentenced to 18 months probation for drunken driving

BALTIMORE - American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, pleaded guilty on Friday to driving under the influence of alcohol and received 18 months of supervised probation and a one-year suspended jail sentence.

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested for drunken driving early on Sept. 30 after speeding and then crossing the double yellow lines inside a Baltimore tunnel, police said.

"The last three months of my life have been some of the hardest times I've ever gone through, some of the biggest learning experiences I've ever had," Phelps, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, told reporters.

"I'm happy to be moving forward. I'll continue to grow from this."

Phelps, 29, was clocked by radar at around 1:40 a.m. traveling 84 miles per hour (135 kph) in a 45-mph (72-kph) zone, police said, adding that he blew a .14 on a Breathalyzer, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in Maryland.

He faced up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

"I hope we don't have this conversation again and I'm optimistic that we won't have this conversation again," Judge Nathan Braverman told Phelps during his sentencing.

Among the observers in the courtroom were Phelps' mother, Debbie, his two sisters, and close friend Ray Lewis, the retired 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.

Police said an officer followed Phelps' 2014 Land Rover onto northbound Interstate 95, through the Fort McHenry Tunnel, and pulled him over just beyond the tunnel's toll plaza.

The drunken-driving arrest was the second for Phelps, who has spent most his life working feverishly in the pool but admits he likes to have a good time when not competing.

Following his arrest, Phelps, who is eyeing a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Olympics, was suspended for six months by USA Swimming and barred from representing the United States at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships in Russia.

Phelps said he completed a 45-day rehab program at an Arizona treatment center following his arrest, continues aftercare in Baltimore, and will participate in Alcoholics Anonymous.

"What I did was wrong, and I made a bad mistake," Phelps told Braverman. "I'm looking forward to having a much brighter future than I had in the past."

Phelps was charged in Salisbury, Maryland, in 2004 for drunken driving. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired in exchange for 18 months' probation.

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Michael Phelps arrested on drunken driving charge

WASHINGTON - American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was arrested for drunken driving early on Tuesday after speeding and then crossing the double-lane lines inside a Baltimore tunnel, police said.

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist later apologized for the incident, saying he was "deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."

Police said Phelps, 29, was clocked by radar around 1:40 a.m. traveling 84 miles per hour (135 kph) in a 45-mph (72-kph) zone. He was booked and released.

Phelps, who has won 22 Olympic medals and appears to be eyeing a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Olympics, was "unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests," authorities said, adding he failed a Breathalyzer test.

Police said an officer followed Phelps's 2014 Land Rover onto northbound Interstate 95, through the Fort McHenry Tunnel under Baltimore Harbor, and pulled him over just beyond the tunnel's toll plaza. Authorities said the Baltimore-area native was cooperative.

"Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI (driving under the influence), excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines," Phelps said in a statement.

"I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility," he added. "I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."

The drunken-driving arrest was the second for Phelps, who has spent most his life working feverishly in the pool but admits he likes to have a good time outside of practice and competition.

Emerging recently from a two-year retirement, Phelps first tested the comeback waters in April at a low-key meet in Phoenix and his progress has been steady rather than his usual impressive.

'UNQUESTIONABLY SERIOUS'

USA Swimming, the national team's governing body, said: "The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious.

"We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool," it said in a statement.

"I was shocked at the news, to say the least," Dara Torres, a 12-time Olympic medalist who has been on several Olympic and national swim teams with Phelps, told Reuters in a telephone interview. "He was very fortunate that no one was hurt. He's a good guy. He does work for kids. He does charity work.

"He could have given the keys to someone. He could have called Uber, a taxi. He has the means to do stuff like that. I just don't understand it," she said.

The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was "surprised by today's news."

"We are disappointed on a number of fronts, but want to give Michael Phelps and USA Swimming an opportunity to comment before saying anything more," the USOC said in a statement.

Phelps was charged in Maryland in 2004 for drunken driving when he was 19. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired in exchange for 18 months' probation.

Phelps was contrite following his first drunken driving arrest a decade ago.

"I recognize the seriousness of the mistake I made," he told the judge in 2004. "It is wrong to drink when you're under age. It's wrong to drive when you've had anything to drink, no matter how old you are."

In 2009, British tabloids published a photo of Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe while at a party at the University of South Carolina.

"I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again," Phelps said at the time.

(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg; Editing by Mary Milliken and Peter Cooney)

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Phelps comeback marches on with butterfly win

The comeback of Michael Phelps continued in impressive fashion on Friday as the most decorated Olympian of all time beat rival Ryan Lochte in the 100 metres butterfly and notched up the second fastest time of the year in Athens, Georgia.

Phelps posted a 51.67, his first swim under 52 seconds this year, in just his fourth meet after a 20-month retirement.

"I wanted to get under 52," Phelps told reporters.

"I was sick and tired of seeing 52.1."

He easily beat his times in the event from his previous three meets but still has work to do to match his 51.21 winning time from the 2012 London Games.

"I am very pleased with being able to go 51," he added.

"But in the grand scheme of things, I think it's just a small stepping stone to go where we hope to be.

"I always set high expectations for myself, no matter what I'm doing.

"(Coach) Bob (Bowman) and I have a plan of what I want to do. He knows what it's going to take to get there."

Only Russian Vyacheslarus Prudnikov (51.60) has been faster this year.

Lochte was second in 53.08 with Matthew Josa third in 53.64.

Lochte was victor in the only other meeting between he and Phelps this year, but is on his own comeback trail after aggravating a knee injury in April.

The 'Bulldog Grand Slam' continues in Athens on Saturday with Phelps scheduled to swim the 100m backstroke as he prepares for the Aug. 6-10 U.S. Championships in Irvine, California ahead of the Pan Pacific Championships on the Gold Coast in Australia. (Reporting by Ben Everill; Editing by Ian Ransom)

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Filipina swimmer stripped of gold in SEAG

MYANMAR - A Filipina swimmer won first place in the Southeast Asian Games but was stripped of the gold following a protest from Thai officials.

National swimmer Jasmin Alkhaldi bagged a gold medal after she overcame her Singaporean rivals during the 100-meter freestyle race.

But right after the awarding ceremony, her win was forfeited after Thailand's camp protested about a "false start."

Organizers upheld the protest and stripped Alkhaldi of the win.

A re-race has been set at 7:30 pm Manila time.

Alkhaldi represented the Philippines in the 2012 Summer Olympics. She holds the Philippine record for the 100-m and 50-m butterfly and won three gold medals in the Southeast Asian Age Group Championships in 2011.

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