Streamlined News: U.S. Wins Fast Lane Meet; Adlington Semi-Retires; Coaching Drama in China

PHOENIX, Arizona, September 24. YESTERDAY in Rio de Janeiro, 16 of the world's best sprinters gathered for a special meet that pitted four swimmers each from Brazil, Australia, France and the United States against each other in 50-meter races of each stroke and a 200 medley relay. The United States came out on top at the end of the meet, beating Australia in the final matchup. After about 2 hours of swimming, United States' Adam Mania, Mike Alexandrov, Eugene Godsoe and Josh Schneider won about $25,000 collectively.

Australia's foursome of Daniel Armamnart, Matt Abood, Matt Targett and James Magnussen earned about $12,500 in winnings. In the water, the swim of the meet was Felipe Lima's 27.60 in the 50 breaststroke, which ties his best time of the year. Competition was tough for France was unable to get into the final round even with the help of 50 free Olympic champion Florent Manaudou.

In other news, Rebecca Adlington hinted that the 800 free she swam at the London Olympics might be the last time we see her compete in that event. Adlington stated in an article last weekend in the Daily Mail that she's not going to compete at the Rio Olympics, and that if she does continue in the sport, it will only be until the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Adlington said distance swimming is “a young person's game,” and says that she will be 27 in Rio and not likely to be able to compete with the best in the sport then.

The Chinese nationals began on Saturday with lots of odd swims by their Olympians. Sun Yang did quite well in the 200 free on the opening day with a 1:45.94, just a second slower than he swam to win the silver medal at the Olympics. But Zhao Jing was unable to make the final of the 100 back a little more than a year after winning the world championship and Liu Zige missed out on the final of the 200 fly, the event in which she holds the world record. Zhang Lin, the 400 free Olympic silver medalist from 2008, continues to struggle in the sport, not making a final yet at nationals. Despite his lackluster showing, Zhang told reporters that he's not quitting the sport and could be moving to the United States to train. Sun returned on Monday with another victory, this time claiming the 400 free in 3:43.97.

Coaching drama in China persists. Hao Yun has claimed that Australia is banning Denis Cotterell from coaching Chinese swimmers like Sun Yang. Sun even went on record saying the ban is true, even though some breaking reports state that Chinese Swimming has stated these rumors as untrue.

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