Olympic Briefs - Barcodes for Swimsuits, Nadal on Losing, Gens for Peace Camp

FINA will make swimmers undergo a “barcode” test to reduce the advantage provided by their hi-tech racing suits. (Getty Images)Swimmers Face Barcode Test at Worlds

FINA will make swimmers undergo a “barcode” test to insure that their hi-tech racing suits don’t give them an unfair advantage at the world championships in Rome next month, according to a report in the Telegraph newspaper in London.

The test will involve competitors being scanned before they enter the pool to make sure they are wearing the suit that they said they would, thus preventing them from changing suits right before competing.

The suits will be tested for buoyancy before the event and tagged. Swimmers will be forced to change if they are not wearing the correct suit. The introduction of the barcode test comes a month after FINA came out with a list of approved suits for use at the world championships.

Nadal Speaks About Losing

Rafael Nadal says he is as calm when he loses as when he wins. The winner of the last four French Opens, dating back to his tournament debut in 2005, the Nadal streak came to an end Sunday as the Spaniard lost to 23rd seed Robin Soderling of Sweden in the fourth round .

Nadal, the men’s tennis gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics, had won 32 prior matches on the red clay of Roland Garros.

“I have to accept with the same calm when I win that when I lose. After four years, I lose here, and the season continues,” said Nadal at a post-match news conference.

Five Inducted in Gymnastics HOF

Five gymnastics legends were inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Octavian Bellu of Romania, the late Viktor Chukarin of Ukraine, Dominique Dawes of the U.S., Elvira Saadi of Uzbekistan and Vitaly Scherbo of Belarus became the latest members of the Hall of Fame, which now features 69 members from 20 countries.

Also honored was Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist of Sweden, the president of the International Gymnastics Federation Gymnastics for All committee. Ahlquist was presented with the International Order of Merit.

Bellu coached the Romanian women’s team to two Olympic team gold medals in 2000 and ’04 and five consecutive world team titles from 1994 to 2001, while Chukarin won seven golds combined at the 1952 and ’56 Games, Saadi won gold medals at the 1972 and 76’ Olympics, Scherbo claimed six golds at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and Dawes was a gold medal winner at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Walker Knighted by Queen

John Walker of New Zealand, the gold medalist Four-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain saw his 31-match winning streak end with a loss to Robin Soderling of Sweden in the fourth round. (Getty Images)in the 1,500-meters at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honors at Buckingham Palace in London on Monday.

Walker, who has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for the last 15 years, credited his parents and his coach Arch Jelly for guiding him to the success he has achieved in life.

“I haven’t done this by myself, right back from my mum and dad, my coach, the people who used to get me out of bed in the morning to go running,” Walker said.

Walker is currently working to provide opportunity for children in sports through his Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation in Auckland, New Zealand.

Generations for Peace Opens Camp

A total of 70 delegates from 15 countries are participating in the fourth annual Generations for PeaceNew Zealand’s John Walker, the 1,500-meter run gold medalist at the 1976 Montreal Games, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth on Monday. (Getty Images)camp in Amman, Jordan, which opened on Monday.

The camp includes instruction in a number of sports, including football, basketball and softball, while attempting to build an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among young people from a variety of ethnic and national backgrounds.

Generations for Peace founder and chairman Prince Feisal Al Hussein and founding partner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamden Al Nahyan greeted the delegates on the first day on Monday.

Samsung and the International Softball Federation are once again the official sponsors for the camp. The NBA is providing coaching and curriculum support, with former All-Star Rolando Blackman serving as an instructor.

Briefs…

…Hugh McCutcheon, who coached the U.S. men’s volleyball team to the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, has been named the U.S. Olympic Committee’s 2008 national coach of the year. The 39-year old McCutcheon led the U.S. to its first men’s volleyball gold medal since 1988 at the 2008 Games. He became the U.S. women’s team coach in December.

…The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has appointed Norwegian judge Trond Asmyr as its new director of dressage. Asmyr replaces Eva Saloman of Sweden, who resigned in May after six years at the post.

...Ludus Tours has partnered with the Jamaican bobsleigh team to become its official tour operator. It will offer travel packages for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics that include accommodations and transportation. Ludus announced last month that it was partnering with US Speedskating.

Written by Greg Oshust and Isia Reaves