Swimming

Athletics may follow swimming in banning transgender women

Swimming's world governing body Fina Monday voted to stop trans athletes from competing in women's elite races if they have gone through any part of the process of male puberty.

The landmark decision set swimming apart from almost all other Olympic sports, with most using testosterone limits as a basis for inclusion.

But Lord Coe has now revealed that World Athletics is set to discuss adopting a new eligibility policy, and welcomed Fina's move.

Amini Fonua making a splash in and out of the pool

He's won a bunch of regional medals in the pool and carried the Tongan flag at the 2012 London Games. 

But his impact outside of the pool as a gay athlete is just as significant, becoming a spokesman and advocate for the rainbow community, particularly Pasifika youth.

"I think it's incredibly important to be a role model for the LGBTQ community, the rainbow community, I don't think we really realise how important role models are until we start growing up and thinking back to what we were like when we were younger. 

Cook Islands to challenge swimming ruling

Swimming is one of 19 sports at the Pacific Games where athletes must hold a passport for the country they are representing (NZ passport for Cook Islands) and have lived there for at least five years.

Papua New Guinea challenged the eligibility of Bede Aitu, Kirsten Fisher-Marsters, Malcolm Richardson and Noah Vilisoni-Heather, who all grew up in New Zealand.

The Cook Islands Olympic Committee immediately withdrew three of the swimmers while the evidence of residency provided for the fourth was deemed insufficient by the Pacific Games Disputes Tribunal.

Incredible night at swimming as records tumble

The crowd exploded in cheers as Samoa's medal-winning Lauren Sale readied herself on the block for the women’s 200m individual medley, the first race of the evening.

Matelita Buadromo of Fiji had a strong showing during the preliminary rounds and New Caledonia’s May Toven looked to podium as well. The buzzer sounded and the women were off.

Oceania Swimming Championships: Day 3

It was the 4 by 100 metre freestyle races that got the crowd roaring towards the end of the final heats for their respective teams.

Team PNG did well in the 4x100 freestyle relay; it was the men’s race that was every bit a nail-biting experience.

Team PNG’s Sam Seghers opened the race for the lads, maintaining speed with Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Next in the pool was 18-year-old Josh Tarere, who put up a good challenge against Samoa’s Sitivi Sooaemalelagi, and one of Fiji’s strongest swimmers, 18-year-old Taichi Vakasama.

Tonga Swimming making waves in schools

The federation has been able to dedicate a team of staff to focus on programs in schools, villages and communities. Acts Community School (ACTS) has been one of the big success stories.

Rio 2016: Quotes of the Games

Following two weeks of thrilling sports action, we take a look at some of the more memorable quotes from Rio 2016.

 

Words to inspire

Rio 2016: The moments that made the Games

While Rio 2016 endured more than its fair share of problems, the Games produced some iconic moments of sporting greatness that will live long in the memory.

From Neymar's penalty that lifted a nation, to Usain Bolt's 'treble treble' and Michael Phelps' 23rd gold, here we bring you 10 standout highlights.

 

Speedo and Ralph Lauren cut Lochte ties

Speedo USA has announced the termination of its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte and Ralph Lauren will not renew the swimmer's contract following his false robbery claims.

Lochte - along with Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen - alleged that they were robbed at gunpoint at a petrol station after attending a party. 

Rio 2016: Two athletes disqualified after positive doping tests

Brazilian cyclist Kleber da Silva Ramos and Chinese Wimmer Chen Xinyi have been disqualified from Rio 2016 following positive doping tests.

Da Silva Ramos did not finish the men's road race, but tested positive for EPO and accepted a provisional suspension without requesting a hearing.