The latest issue of Swimming World Biweekly is now available for download in the Swimming World Vault! [PHOTO CREDIT: PETER H. BICK] In this issue of SW Biweekly, check out our full recap of the FINA Champions Series Finals in Indianapolis, IN. Also featured, an interview with Captain Tom Popp, of Navy Water Polo. Annie Lazor won the 200m breaststroke at the TYR Pro Swim Series, becoming the 9th fastest performer in history. Russia is facing a possible 2020 Olympic ban over allegations of a doping cover-up regarding indoor high jump champion Danil Lysenko. Japan’s Kosuke Hagino’s future in the sport is becoming unclear, as he announces taking time off due to waning motivation to compete. Denmark’s Pernille Blume underwent heart surgery in June to reduce the risks of a heart defect, and two weeks later went on to win the 50 free at the FINA Champions Series. After the Champions Series concluded, FINA had a meeting to evaluate the series’ concept, seeking to create new events that center on entertainment and professional growth for athletes. The NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules Committee is considering the use of video review for 15m violations, to be in effect in NCAA Division 1 meets in the 2019-20 school year, if approved. Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte announces her retirement amid threats of suspension. Plus, more news from the wide world of swimming. New! 1-Year Digital Only Subscription for just $39.95 Order Now! FEATURES 008 ANNIE LAZOR ERASES LIMITS IN STUNNING SECOND ACT by David Rieder At the TYR Pro Swim Series in mid-May, Annie Lazor cut two seconds from her lifetime best to win the 200 meter breaststroke in 2:20.77—a swim that made her the ninth-fastest performer in history and second fastest American since Rebecca Soni’s 2:19.59 seven years ago! 012 ON THE RECORD WITH TOM POPP OF NAVY WATER POLO by Michael Randazzo In this Q&A from the Northeast Zone Junior Olympics water polo tournament, Swimming World spoke with Captain Top Popp, director of the Navy age group water polo program and an assistant coach for Navy men’s water polo. 014 RUSSIA FACES POSSIBLE OLYMPIC BAN WITH NEW DOPING ALLEGATIONS by Daniel D’Addona Russia could be banned from the Olympics next year after new doping allegations have implicated top athletics officials. The allegations surround a possible cover-up of a doping issue by the world indoor high jump champion, Danil Lysenko, who was a favorite to win gold at Tokyo 2020, but now faces a ban of up to 10 years. The Russian federation has denied the claims of a cover-up, and is cooperating with the investigation. 015 KOSUKE HAGINO TO SKIP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS; SWIMMING FUTURE UNCLEAR by Daniel D’Addona 2016 Olympic 400 IM gold medalist Kosuke Hagino of Japan will miss this summer’s World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. In April, he withdrew from his country’s nationals, citing a lack of desire to compete, and earlier this month, he skipped the Japan Open. Although a Hagino representative reported he would take some time off, then prepare for next year, Hagino admitted that it’s becoming hard for him to maintain his motivation. 016 A SWIMMER’S GUIDE TO SUMMER OF 2019 by Kate Walter From competing in summer swim leagues to making the most of your training—in the pool as well as dryland—to preparing for next year’s Olympic Trials, Swimming World has your summer covered. 018 FINA CHAMPIONS SWIM SERIES 2019 #3 (Indianapolis) – FINALS RECAP by Daniel D’Addona and Diana Pimer Full event coverage of both nights, May 31-June 1, from the Indiana University Natatorium. 024 PERNILLE BLUME OVERCOMES HOLE IN HEART TO REMAIN WORLD-CLASS SWIMMER by Andy Ross Denmark’s Pernille Blume, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the women’s 50 free, underwent heart surgery in January to reduce the risk of blood clots and cardiac arrest. She was out of the water for two weeks, then five days after returning to training, she broke her little finger! But at the recent FINA Champions Series in Indianapolis, Blume won the 50 free with the world’s third fastest time this year, finishing ahead of world record holder Sarah Sjostrom and 2012 Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo. 026 FINA PREPARED TO EVOLVE CHAMPIONS SWIM SERIES; SUPPORT ATHLETE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH by Brent Rutemiller After the FINA Champions Swim Series inaugural season’s final stop in Indianapolis, FINA executives, athletes and attending members met to evaluate the series concept and discuss a way forward. The meeting ended in an air of optimism, where FINA appeared prepared to evolve with the athletes to create new event formats in an environment that centered on entertainment and professional growth for the athletes. 028 2019 FINA CHAMPIONS SERIES – INDIANAPOLIS PHOTO GALLERY photos by Peter H. Bick 041 HOW THEY TRAIN – ASHLEY STROUSE by Michael J. Stott 042 NCAA SWIMMING AND DIVING RULES COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER USE OF VIDEO REVIEW FOR 15-METER VIOLATIONS by Andy Ross A new rule allowing video review for 15-meter violations, if approved June 26 by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, would be in effect in NCAA Division I meets in the 2019-20 school year during the regular season as well as the conference and NCAA Championships. 044 RUTA MEILUTYTE: A LOOK BACK AT THE RISE AND FALL OF AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION by Andy Ross Ruta Meilutyte, Lithuania’s 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the women’s 100 breast at the age of 15, recently announced her retirement from competitive swimming after missing three doping tests and facing the threat of a suspension. Swimming World takes a look back at her up-and-down career. 048 PARTING SHOT |