Metenolone

IOC to Abolish "Wild Card." In May, IOC President Jacques Rogge announced the "wild card" will be eliminated from future Olympic Games. Under the "wild card" rule, each country was allowed one male and one female entrant in each sport, regardless of that individual's accomplishments. The decision means that all competitors will have to meet qualifying standards. Competitors such as Eric Moussambani and "Eddie the Eagle" Edwards, who captured the hearts of millions of viewers, will no longer be allowed to perform on the Olympic stage.

Chlorine-Asthma Linked. Chlorine used in indoor pools has been linked to the alarming surge in childhood asthma over the past 30 years, according to a Belgian study published last month. The study found that children who swim several times a week in highly chlorinated pools could suffer similar lung damage as regular smokers. For more info, see Swimlnfo.com and click on "Archives" for June 3, 2003.

Fresno State Gets Reprieve. The Fresno State women's swim team received new life in May when the Valley Soccer Foundation (VSF) announced it had raised funds to save men's soccer and women's swimming for one year. The school's administration had cut four teams to deal with a budget deficit. However, by next Jan. 15, the VSF still must raise cash or pledges totaling $2.72 million-the amount required to fund both programs through 2007-08-or the two teams will be axed.

UCLA Takes Water Polo Crown. UCLA upset defending champ Stanford 4-3 to capture the women's NCAA Water Polo Championships. The victory by Coach Adam Krikorian's Bruins represented their second champion-ship in the tournament's three-year history.

Fast Jewish Swimmers Wanted. Maccabi USA, gearing up for the 10th Pan-Am Maccabi Games, to be held in Santiago, Chile, from Dec. 24, 2003 through Jan. 5, 2004, is looking at fielding a team of approximately 20-24 swimmers for the open/ national team and approximately the same number for the junior squad (swimmers born in 1986-89). There will also be a Masters team for all internationally-recognized age groups (beginning at 25-29).

The U.S. team will be selected no later than Aug. 1. All team, qualifying standards and travel information is located online at www.maccabiusa.com. There is also a website from Chile regarding the Pan Am Games: www. macabeadaschile.com.

People

Neuburger Elected. Dale Neuburger has been elected as the chairman of the board of directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The president of the Indiana Sports Corporation since 1993, Neuburger also serves as vice president of FINA and president of United States Aquatic Sports.

Auburn Tigers Honored. The NCAA champion Auburn men's and women's swimming and diving teams traveled to Montgomery, Ala. in May, where they were honored by Governor Bob Riley at the Governor's Mansion.

Bulldogs Take SEC Kudos. The University of Georgia's Robert Margalis was named Southeastern Conference Male Swimmer of the Year, while team-mate Mary DeScenza garnered sec Freshman of the Year accolades on the women's side.

Beard Defends Dolphins. Four-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard is urging Americans to join a campaign to help save dolphins. In a television public service announcement released nationwide by Defenders of Wildlife, Beard tells viewers that efforts are underway to loosen the standards for the dolphinsafe tuna label allowing dolphin-deadly tuna to be sold as dolphin-safe tuna.

Delurgio in SI. UC San Diego women's swimming sophomore and team MVP, Rosanna Delurgio, is featured in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated in "Faces in the Crowd." She was selected for her outstanding performance at the 2003 NCAA Division II Championships, where she set two DII national marks.

Franzi, Sarah Say "No." Two of swimming's top stars-Germany's Franziska van Almsick and Australia's Sarah Ryan-have decided not to compete at this year's World Champs in Barcelona.

Distance Star Attacked. In May, British distance star Graeme Smith, 27, was senselessly attacked and severely beaten in his hometown of Manchester by a gang of thugs. He was treated in a local hospital and released, but missed a major meet.

Comebacks. With the Athens Olympics looming ever closer, several additional stars of recent yester-years are back in the pool. The latest to announce their comebacks are Canada's Joanne Malar, 27, a three-time Olympian, and the USA's Trina Radke, 32, a 1988 Olympian.

Three Banned. FINA reported that Syrian swimmer Mahmoud Jadaan tested positive for the anabolic steroid metenolone and will serve a four-year ban; Iranian water polo player Reza Ojagh tested positive for nandrolone, also a steroid, and is suspended for four years; and Dutch swimmer Linda van Herk was given a two-year ban for refusing to take a test.

Coaching. Ray Bray, 62, who coached Olympians Gary Hall Sr. and Shirley and Jack Babashoff, has retired after 35 years of coaching.

Whitney L. Hite has been named the new assistant coach for the University of California's women's swimming program. Hite comes to Berkeley after serving as an assistant coach with the University of Georgia's swimming staff for the past five years.

Stephanie Putzi is a new assistant coach at the University of South Carolina after a one-year stint as assistant coach at The University of Cincinnati and two years as a graduate assistant coach at Auburn.

Former CaI assistant coach Adam Crossen has accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Irvine Novaquatics national club team.

Head of Canadian Swimming Resigns. Karen Spierkel, the CEO of Swimming Canada, resigned her post in May after a tumultuous 13 months on the job.

Copyright Sports Publications, Inc. Jul 2003
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