Phelps, US Grab Relay Record

Swimmer challenges others to switch before ban takes effect

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps challenged his competitors at the upcoming FINA/Arena World Cup meets to race without the full-body technical suits recently banned by swimming authorities for providing an unfair advantage in speed. The ban doesn’t go into effect until January, but Phelps said he was “getting ready for where the sport is going,” by switching early to a waist-to-knee “jammer.” More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps today rebounded from yesterday's stunning loss by shattering his own world record in the 200-meter butterfly at the FINA World Championships in Rome, ABC News reports. Phelps achieved the feat without a full-body suit, wearing only an ankle-to-waist version. In his loss yesterday, he lost to a swimmer wearing the most high-tech of suits, which will eventually be banned. “He swam that 200 meters pissed off,” an insider said of today's race. More»

Cutting-edge swimwear adds array of advantages

(NEWSER) - After more than 100 records were broken in the past year and a half, the international swimming federation has put 348 high-tech swimsuits under the microscope—banning 10 of them and requiring modifications to another 136, the New York Times reports. The suits can increase buoyancy, squeeze the body into position, and cut drag, said a coach. FINA’s move could lead to the disqualification of some records. More»

(AP) - Sporting a goatee and an old-school swimsuit, Michael Phelps picked up right where he left off in Beijing. Two races. Two wins. The world's greatest swimmer left a 9-month layoff and marijuana travails in his wake tonight at his first meet since a triumphant Olympics. None of it seemed to matter when Phelps dove in for two events less than an hour apart at the Charlotte UltraSwim in Charlotte, NC. More»

(AP) - The fallout continues: Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming in the wake of his bong photo. Meanwhile, Kellogg's will not renew its contract with the swimmer when it expires at the end of the month, Advertising Age reports. The Wheaties maker says Phelps' image is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg." More»