Streamlined News: Swimmers at Boston Marathon; Delay in South Africa; Stars Line Up in Russia

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 16. YESTERDAY'S shocking news of the tragic bomb explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon have affected the swimming community. We are hearing news of former swimmers and current coaches who participated in the event and are being treated for various injuries. Others were done with the race before the bombs exploded, or were not near the explosions when it happened. Swimming World continues to keep all those affected by the tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.

The South African nationals have been halted by the murky green water in Port Elizabeth's pool, which affected competition to the point that many swimmers said they could not see more than a few feet in front of them underwater. The pool is being re-filtered today, and competition is expected to resume tomorrow with a different schedule to make sure the meet still ends on Saturday. Cameron van der Burgh is going to be adversely affected by the scheduling change, as he was already planning on attending an event in Norway this week to honor his late friend Alexander Dale Oen. He won't be able to swim in the final of the 100 breaststroke in South Africa, which is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, because he will be on a plane to Norway. It's likely the Olympic champion will be able to swim the 100 breast at worlds, based on beating the qualifying time yesterday in semifinals.

Russia began its world championship team trials today in Kazan, at the site of this summer's World University Games. Among those competing is NCAA standout Vlad Morozov, who appears to be swimming the 50 and 100 freestyles as well as the 100 backstroke. Anastasia Zueva, who won a silver medal in the 200 back in London, will only swim the 50 and 100 backstrokes, since she has been unable to put in the training for the 200 after injuring her foot in October. Look out for Russia's other Olympic medalists from London: Yulia Efimova, who won bronze in the 200 breast, and Evgeny Korotyshkin, the silver medalist in the 100 fly.

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