ARGENTINA<\/b> (ARG)<\/i>
\nJanuary.08–<\/i>In January, the Argentine Aquatics Sports Confederation (CADDA) announced a 28-member team as its swimming delegation to the South American Aquatics Championships, in March in Brazil. Team members are: Women (14)–Georgina Bardach, Virginia Bardach, Cecilia Bertoncello, Cecilia Biagioli, Maria Gisel Bondino, Eliana Cassini, Nadia Colovini, Agustina De Giovanni, Ariana Ghirard, Liliana Guiscardo, Manuela Morano, Javiera Salcedo, Florencia Ghione, and Sof\u00eda Osaba; men (14)–Walter Arciprete, Mariano Caviglia, Lucas Del Piccolo, Sergio Ferreira, Agust\u00edn Fiorilli, Andr\u00e9s Gonzalez, Eduardo Otero, Gustavo Paschetta, Mart\u00edn Pereyra, Damian Roth, Gast\u00f3n Rodr\u00edguez, Luciano Sales Rubio, Cristian Soldano and Freddy Zschach.<\/p>\n
Feb.17–<\/i>FINA's 2008 Open Water Grand Prix<\/a>, the 9-race circuit of events longer than 10 kilometers, starts and ends with races in the Americas this year. The circuit started this month with its first three events in Argentina, on three consecutive weekends: the Sante Fe 57K (Feb.3), the Rosario 15K (Feb.9) and the Viedma 15K (Feb.16). Results from the three races, as well as further information about the 2008 circuit, are available at the link above.<\/p>\n BAHAMAS<\/b> (BAH)<\/i> BARBADOS<\/b> (BAR)<\/i> BOLIVIA<\/b> (BOL)<\/i> CANADA<\/b> (CAN)<\/i> Feb.4–<\/i>Harry Zarins has resigned as CEO of Water Polo Canada, after 2.5 years in the position.<\/p>\n Feb.11–<\/i>Diving Canada invites all FINA member federations to participate in the Canadian stop of the 2008 FINA Diving Grand Prix: the Canada Cup, May 1-4, 2008 in Montr\u00e9al<\/a>, Qu\u00e9bec. Competition information is available at link.<\/p>\n Feb.13–<\/i>Swimming Canada announced the country's largest freight railway company, CN, as the title sponsor for the country's Olympic and Paralympic Trials, which will be April 1-6 in Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n Feb.18–<\/i>On the weekend of February 14-17, the 2008 Eastern and Western Canadian Swimming Championships were held in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. Results are available online here: Eastern<\/a> and Western<\/a>.<\/p>\n Further news on the Eastern and Western meets is available in these SwimmingWorld<\/i> stories: Feb.22–<\/i>Swimming Canada will host a tri-meet against Great Britain and France<\/a>, August 1 and 2 in Quebec City, Qu\u00e9bec. The meet will feature swimmers targeting the 2012 Olympics.<\/p>\n Feb.24–<\/i>The University of Calgary men and the University of British Columbia (UBC) women were the team winners at the 2008 CIS Swimming Championships–the Canadian college championships. In winning, the Calgary men broke UBC's 10-year winning streak; it was the 11th consecutive win for the UBC women: the longest in any CIS. The 2008 CIS Swimming Championships were held February 22-24 in Vancouver, British Columbia. More information on the meet is available here: CAYMAN ISLANDS<\/b> (CAY)<\/i> Feb.19–<\/i>Swimmer Brett Fraser set two Cayman Islands Records at the USA's Grand Prix meet in Columbia, Missouri, mid-month. Fraser set the national records in the 100 and 200 backstrokes (58.21 and 2:03.74), lowering the previous marks of 58.69 set by Andrew Mackay and 2:05.99 by Shaune Fraser. Brett's 200 back time also is under the Olympic "B" standard of 2:03.99. Brett now joins his brother Shaune as the country's two current swimming qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics; Shaune swam qualifying times in the 100 and 200 frees at last summer's Pan American Games.<\/p>\n ECUADOR<\/b> (ECU)<\/i> JAMAICA<\/b> (JAM)<\/i> MEXICO<\/b> (MEX)<\/i> Feb.26–<\/i>Mexican diver Tatiana Ortiz became Mexico's fourth diver qualified for the 2008 Olympics, with her 4th place finish in the women's 10m platform event at the 2008 FINA Diving World Cup<\/a> in Beijing, China, February 19-25. Fellow Mexican and also 2008 Olympic-bound diver Paola Espino finished a 3rd in the same event.<\/p>\n Feb.29–<\/i>Information about the 2008 FINA World Youth Swimming Championships, July 8-13, in Monterrey, Mexico, can be found online here<\/a>. The meet summons is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n NETHERLANDS ANTILLES<\/b> (AHO)<\/i> Feb.29–<\/i>NAZB has announced that it will host the Dutch Caribbean Synchronized Swimming Invitation, April 30-May 3 on Cura\u00e7ao. For more information contact at nazb@sports.an or tanchiida@hotmail.com.<\/p>\n PANAMA<\/b> (PAN)<\/i> The club team, Club Delfines Azules, was suspended by FPN for allowing non-FPN swimmers–or FPN-approved swimmers–to swim in an FPN meet, violating FINA rules. Subsequently, the Panamanian government sport entity, el Instituto Paname\u00f1o de Deportes, earlier this month overturned the suspension, allowing the club to compete again. FPN's suspension of domestic competition appears to be to avoid any further reoccurrence of FINA rule violations. FPN has recommended that its team seek to participate in events outside the country until domestic competitions resume. FPN will hold off all domestic competitions pending a review of the situation by FINA.<\/p>\n Jan.23–<\/i>FPN announced the adding of two new disciplines for 2008: open water swimming and synchronized swimming. The Federation anticipates entering both disciplines at this summer's CAMEX Championships in June.<\/p>\n SAINT LUCIA<\/b> (LCA)<\/i> UNITED STATES of AMERICA<\/b> (USA)<\/i> Feb.20–<\/i>Todd Smith has resigned as U.S. Masters Swimming's Executive Director<\/a>. President Rob Copeland will assume duties until a new Executive Director is hired.<\/p>\n Feb.25–<\/i>Entry information of the 2008 U.S. Masters Swimming Short Course (Yards) Nationals<\/a> has been posted on the USMS website at the link. The meet is May 1-4, 2008 in Austin, Texas; entries are due by the end of March (please see website for specific dates).<\/p>\n Feb.29–<\/i>USA Diving invites FINA member federations to participate in the USA stop of the 2008 FINA Diving Grand Prix<\/a>: the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix, May 8-11 in Fort Lauderale, Florida. Preliminary entries are due March 7, 2008. Further information is available at the link above.<\/p>\n VENEZUELA<\/b> (VEN)<\/i> 2008 South American Swimming Championships<\/u> Men (11): Crox Acu\u00f1a, Leopoldo Andara, Jonatan Camacho, Jes\u00fas Casanova, Victor Lugo, Alexis M\u00e1rquez, Ricardo Monasterio, Juan Francisco Morales, Maylor Salgueiro, Daniele Tirabassi and Reymer Vezga.<\/p>\n Coaches for the trip are: Luis Robillo and Artemio V\u00edctoria.<\/p>\n 2008 Copa Latina, San Marino, April 24-27<\/u> Men (8)–Acu\u00f1a, Rafael Aponte, Miguel Ferreira, Roberto G\u00f3mez, Gabriel Huen, Salgueiro, Tirabassi, and Nicol\u00e1s Villarroel.<\/p>\n Coaches–Miguel Hern\u00e1ndez, Oscar Huen and Carlos L\u00f3pez<\/p>\n Feb.26–<\/i>Venezuelan diver Ramon Fumado qualified for the 3m springboard event at the 2008 Olympics at the 2008 FINA Diving World Cup<\/a> in Beijing, China, February 19-25.<\/p>\n VIRGIN ISLANDS <\/b> (ISV)<\/i> OTHER<\/b> Feb.21<\/i>–The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Singapore as host of the first Summer Youth Olympics in 2010<\/a>.<\/p>\n Feb.29—<\/i>SwimNews.com has posted updated 2007 World Rankings through the end of the year online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n REGION EVENTS–March 2008<\/b><\/p>\n March 5-16–South American Aquatics Championships<\/a> (S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil) March 21-24–2008 CARIFTA Water Polo Championships<\/a> (Kingston, Jamaica)<\/p>\n
\nFeb.21–<\/i>The Bahamas Swimming Federation has selected a 36-swimmer team for the 2008 CARIFTA Swimming Championships<\/a>. The 2008 CARIFTAs are March 26-31 in Savaneta, Aruba.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.25–<\/i>Results from the Barbados Long Course Nationals<\/a>, held February 19-24.<\/p>\n
\nJan.24–<\/i>A report out of La Paz, Bolivia indicates that the Bolivian Swimming Federation, Federaci\u00f3n Boliviana de Nataci\u00f3n (FEBONA), will spend 2008 focusing on internal matters and, therefore, will not participate in international competition this year. Instead FEBONA will hold an elite training camp in Santa Cruz from March through December, to prepare a group of 40 of the country's best Junior and Senior swimmers for the 2009 Bolivia National Games and put the group on track to produce 5 swimming qualifiers for the 2012 Olympics.<\/p>\n
\nJanuary.08-<\/i>–Synchro Canada in January announced that Denise Sauve would become Canada's new National Team Head Coach.<\/p>\n
\nEastern-Feb.18: Beavers finishes with 4 golds<\/a>
\nWestern-Feb.18: Morningstar closes meet with fifth gold<\/a>
\nWestern-Feb.18: Cochrane Sets Canadian Record in 1500 Free<\/a>
\n Western-Feb.17: Morningstar breaks another National Record<\/a>
\nEastern-Feb.17: Beavers wins third gold<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFeb.24–
\nCalgary wins CIS Men's title to end UBC's 10-year stretch<\/a>
\nFeb.23–Pierse claims fifth overall Canadian breaststroke record at CIS Championships<\/a>
\nFeb.22–Pierse drops Canadian Record in 100 breast at CIS Championships<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFeb.18–<\/i>Results from the Cayman Islands CARIFTA Swimming Trials, held February 13-17, can be found online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.11–<\/i>The 2008 Ecuador Club Nationals were held February 6-10, in Portoviejo. Results from the meet<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.20–<\/i> Jamaica has named 35-swimmer team for the 2008 CARIFTA Swimming Championships<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.18–<\/i>A group of Mexican swimmers attended the USA's second Grand Prix of 2008, mid-month in Columbia, Missouri. At that meet, Adriana Marmolejo swam to a new Mexican Record and an Olympic qualifying time in the women's 200 breaststroke (2:29.78).<\/p>\n
\nFeb.15–<\/i>The Netherlands Antilles Swimming Federation, Nederlands Antilliaanse Zwembond (NAZB), has announced its 9th Dutch Caribbean Invitational Swimming Championships<\/b>. The meet will be April 30-May 3 on Cura\u00e7ao, and is an Olympic qualifying event. Entry deadline is April 22, 2008. Further information available at nazb@sports.an or sgoeloe@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n
\nJan.29–<\/i> Reports out of Panama indicate that the Panamanian Swimming Federation, la Federaci\u00f3n Paname\u00f1a de Nataci\u00f3n (FPN), has suspended all domestic competitions. The decision appears to be so that FPN will remain in compliance with FINA rules, and stems from the forced re-instatement of a club team which FPN had suspended for violating FINA rules.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.9–<\/i> Danielle Beaubrun and Jonathan Calderon were named Senior Swimmers of the Year for 2007 at the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association's 2007 Awards dinner on February 9. A wrap-up and list of award recipients is available online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.19–<\/i>At the USA Grand Prix meet in Columbia, Missouri, February 15-18, the USA's Natalie Coughlin broke her existing World Record in the women's 100 backstroke, swimming a 59.21 to better the 59.44 mark she set at the 2007 World Championships. Katie Hoff set two additional USA Records at the meet in the 200 and 400 freestyles (1:56.08 and 4:02.20).<\/p>\n
\nJan.30–<\/i>The Venezuelan Aquatics Sports Federation, Federaci\u00f3n Venezolana de Desportes Acu\u00e1ticos (FEVEDA), has announced the country's swimming teams for March's South American Aquatics Championships and April's Copa Latina. Teams for the two trips are:<\/p>\n
\nWomen (9)–Elimar Barrios, Gloria Gonz\u00e1lez, Patricia Maldonado, Darneyis Orozco, Jeserick Pinto, Mar\u00eda Rodr\u00edguez, Arelene Semeco, Ximena Vilar and Er\u00edn Volc\u00e1n.<\/p>\n
\nWomen (6)–Barrios, Maldonado, Orozco, Andreina Pinto, Jesserik Pinto and Daniela Victoria.<\/p>\n
\nJan.26–<\/i>The St. Thomas Swimming Association held its first meet in the islands new pool in late January. Swimmers from the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix swam in the meet. Prior to the pool's opening, swimmers from St. Thomas needed to travel to St. Croix for their meets.<\/p>\n
\nFeb.14–<\/i>FINA:SwimNews<\/a><\/i> reports that FINA will officially decide on when to implement the use of Omega's new starting platform at April's World Short Course Swimming Championships in Manchester, Great Britain. There are indications that the blocks will not be introduced to competition until after the 2008 Olympics.<\/p>\n
\n -Diving: March 12-15
\n -Open Water: March 7 (5K) & 9 (10K)
\n -Swimming: March 12-15
\n -Synchronized Swimming: March 12-15
\n -Water Polo: March 12-16<\/p>\n