example-image
Connect with Us:  

News Round-Up: Thorpey's New Job

Apr 1, 2010  - Craig Lord

New Zealand: Ian Thorpe has a new job - the middle distance ace of the past decade will serve as starter for the skins event the day after New Zealand Open Swimming Championships in Waitakere City next week.

Italy: At short-course nationals in Riccione notable for fast times across the board, Marco Orsi won his 5th solo title with a 47.76 effort in the 100m free, off a 23.90 split. In the 1,500m free, Alessandro Cuoghi clocked 15:02.15.

FINA: an emergency meeting of the international federation has decided to reverse all decisions on suits. The plastic fantastic will be back form April 1, 2011, while "flippers, paddles and cone-shaped helmets may also be worn". Start blocks will be adjusted, while backstroke swimmers may start on their fronts. In addition, FINA also announced in a release this morning that sprinters 5cms shorter than their rivals may have limb extensions from April 1, 2011 (surgery can be performed before that date to allow recovery time before what is expected to be a big rush in the comeback trail), while Michael Phelps is among those named on a list of athletes obliged to hand over details of his diet, sleep pattern, training programmes and any entries in the diaries of mum Debbie and coach Bob Bowman so that the information can be posted on the FINA website with a view to ensuring a more level playing field.

Happy April 1, 2010 to all our readers