News Round-Up:

Olympic test event, London: Where Britain's Francesca Halsall had clocked extremely smooth efforts of 54.14 and 53.83 in the heats and semis of domestic 100m freestyle races today, the international final was won by world champion Jeanette Ottesen (DEN) in 54.14. The Danish sprinter denied playing any role in elbow gate (Alicia Coutts, of Australia, says she was elbowed "multiple times" in the head in the Shanghai 2011 world title final call room and spat at on the way to her blocks), which means that all Europeans in the frame, including the other joint world champion, Aleksandra Herasimenia (BLR), once banned for doping, have now denied the charge, the Belarus swimmer stating that it never happened.

In other events in London, Markus Deibler (GER) clocked 1:59.97 to keep Markus Rogan (AUT), on 2:00.07, at bay in the 200m medley, with Jan Schepers (GER) on 2:00.12; Radoslaw Kawecki (POL) won the 200m backstroke on 1:58.34 ahead of Darren Murray (RSA) on 1:59.95; and Rikke Moeller-Pedersen (DEN) clocked 2:25.54 in the 200m breaststroke to edge out Marina Garcia (ESP), on 2:26.00, and 2009 world champion Nadja Higl (SRB), on 2:27.38.

Deibler said the point of being in London was reconnaissance, including some great news in the mix - a toilet in the call room for the Games.

USA: Dominik Meichtry, the US-based Swiss freestyler, has popped the question to the love of his life Jessica Hardy, the US freestyle and breaststroke sprint ace. Yes was the answer and the two will wed after the London 2012 Olympic Games. Meichtry is all but selected for his country, while Hardy is a strong bet for selection at US trials in June.

Italy: At Italian nationals in Riccione, more swimmers made the grade for the European Championships, including Luca Marin, former beau of Laure Manaudou and Federica Pellegrini.

Women

100m freestyle

• Federica Pellegrini (CC Aniene) 54.73 (eq)
• Alice Mizzau (Fiamme Gialle/Plain Team Veneto) 55.41
• Erika Ferraioli (Esercito/Forum Sport Center) 55.78
• Erica Buratto (SMGM Team Nuoto Lombardia) 56.08

(relay qualifies)

50m butterfly 

• Silvia Di Pietro (CC Aniene) 26.62 (European qualifier)
• Ilaria Bianchi (Fiamme Azzurre/Azzurra 91) 26.89
• Elena Gemo (CC Aniene) 27.05

200m breaststroke:

Chiara Boggiatto (Esercito/Nuoto Livorno) 2:28.12 (European qualifier)

1500m freestyle

• Martina Grimaldi (Fiamme Oro Napoli/Uisp Bologna) 16:27.77 (eq)

Men: 

100 breaststroke

• Mattia Pesce (Fiamme Oro Roma/Forum Sport Center) 1:00.78 (Eq)
• Fabio Scozzoli (Esercito/Imolanuoto) 1:01.21 (already qualified for London 2012)

100m butterfly

• Matteo Rivolta (Team Insubrika Creval) 53.31 (European qualifier)
• Piero Codia (CC Aniene) 53.50
• Marco Belotti (CC Aniene) 53.93 

400m medley

• Federico Turrini (Esercito/Nuoto Livorno) 4:15.11 (Eq)
• Luca Marin (CC Aniene) 4:15.91 (Eq)