Swimming world body to banish athletes and supporters of event in Las Vegas

LAUSANNE, Switzerland >> Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday.

Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program.

A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport.

“Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,” its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision.

The new rule targets those who “support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods,” the world swim body said.

Indianapolis to host US Olympic swimming trials again in 2028 after last year’s run

INDIANAPOLIS >> The 2028 U.S. Olympic swimming trials will return to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium after drawing record-breaking crowds last year in the first event held inside a football stadium.

USA Swimming officials made the announcement Tuesday in Indianapolis where this year’s national championships are being held this week. Dates for the event have not yet been announced.

Organizers intend to build three temporary pools on top of the NFL’s Colts’ home field — a 50-meter competition pool and two warm-up pools. The Indiana Convention Center, which is connected to the stadium, will host USA Swimming’s Toyota Aqua Zone.

Last year, more than 285,000 fans attended the nine-day trials. That was a 60% increase over previous events. Single session records also were shattered as television ratings increased 20% from the previous team trials in 2021. Organizers estimated the event helped generate $132 million in revenue for the city.

Ford, Foster picked to work NBA Finals for the 1st time. The famed ‘white jacket’ awaits

OKLAHOMA CITY >> For NBA players, the prize is the gold trophy. For NBA referees, the prize is the white jacket.

And for Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor, the jacket has arrived. Soon, so will the moment they’ve worked a long time for — they’re going to be blowing the whistle at the NBA Finals.

Ford and Taylor were the two first-time selections on a roster of 12 referees that were announced Tuesday as those picked to work the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. The series begins Thursday in Oklahoma City.

“That jacket’s really sweet and it’s sort of our trophy,” Ford said. “There’s a special significance to the white jacket. Everybody’s who’s been in the finals or aspires to do the finals recognizes that. You get one when you’re an alternate because you walk out there and you take a picture and you’ve got to be prepared, but it’s a little different when you’re actually one of the 12 and you’ll be working on the floor.”

Both have been alternates before, so they know what the white jacket looks like and feels like. But Taylor made sure that he’ll know the difference between the ones he got as an alternate and the ones he’ll get now as a full-fledged finals referee.

— The Associated Press