France: two things have brought a smile to the face of Alain Bernard, Olympic 100m free champ, this week, according to L'Equipe: the fact that he has started his taper and begun to lay off the hard work in readiness for speed at the European Championships from August 9 in Budapest; and Saturday is set to see him soar through the next stage of his pilot's licence.
Spain: At Spanish nationals in Barcelona, Rafael Munoz, still waiting to get the call to a hearing that will determine whether he is to be suspended for up to two years after allegedly failing to let anti-doping agencies know of his whereabouts for months on end, clocked 23.00 over 50m freestyle. Mireia Belmonte put in the swim of the day with a 2:10.61 in the 200m 'fly, while Alan Cabello claimed the 200m back crown in 2:00.96.
