Streamlined News: International Swimming Roundup

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 10. JEREMY Stravius and Camille Lacourt are set to return to the world championships this summer in the 100 backstroke, placing 1-2 in the event today at the French nationals. The two tied for the world title in 2011, and be back in 2013 to likely race Olympic champion Matt Grevers and Japan's Ryosuke Irie for that top podium spot. Also today in France, Florent Manaudou won the 50 free over Fred Bousquet with a 21.55, keeping himself at the top of the world rankings list.

Over in Italy, Fabio Scozzoli became just the second man under the 1:00 mark so far in the 100 breast this year, posting a 59.77 at Italian nationals. Scozzoli was the silver medalist in the event at world championships in 2011 and will face tough competition in Barcelona this summer. Matteo Rivolta broke the Italian national record in the 100 fly twice today, lowering it to 51.70 in the final and setting himself up for a potential top-eight finish at worlds.

In just a few hours, the Japanese will hold their world championship trials in Osaka, with several events featuring interesting situations. Some of the races will only have one roster spot open for the world championships, with the first spot going to the Olympic medalist in that event. Japan won medals in nine individual events, one of the country's best showings at the Olympics.

The list of potential cities to host the 2016 US swimming Olympic Trials was reduced by one yesterday, with the announcement that Greensboro, North Carolina, was dropped from contention. Neither USA Swimming nor the Greensboro bid organizers went into specifics regarding the reason why the city was removed from the list. That leaves Omaha, Nebraska; St Louis and San Antonio as the cities still in the running. The announcement of the winning city is expected to be named on April 27.

Finally today, news from South Africa is reporting that Chad Le Clos is working on an autobiography that will chronicle the journey to his gold medal swim in the 200 butterfly over Michael Phelps at the 2012 Olympics. The book will be titled Unbelievable and is set for publication in 2014.

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