From swimsuits to drug use, Olympic swimming has had controversies. Michelle Smith, Dawn Fraser, and entire countries have been involved in scandals that have, in small or large fashion, tarnished swimming. Am I missing some? Let me know!

Olympian Mark Warkentin (10km Open Water Swimming Qualifier for the Beijing Olympics) concluded the 5th FINA Open Water World Championships with a silver medal in the men's 25K open water race. Warkentin, who qualified for his first Olympics earlier in the championships, swam the race in 5:04:01.6. Team USA finished fourth with 48 points in the overall team standings.

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for a high caliber PhD student to become immersed in the high performance programs of swimming and triathlon with the New Zealand Academy of Sport North Island (NZASNI). NZASNI works in partnership with sports identified by Sport & Recreation NZ (SPARC) to enable their high performance programs, athletes and coaches to achieve international success by providing world leading support.

Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. As nerve fiber is destroyed and damaged from the disease, even the most common every day tasks can be a chore. But with regular aquatic therapy, MS sufferers can strengthen weakened muscles and improve stamina and balance. The unique qualities of water provide exceptional benefits to people with MS, allowing them to move in ways they may not be able to on land. Finding a swimming pool that's convenient, open year-round and at the right temperature for MS therapy can be a challenge. The MS Society's latest partner, Endless Pools, Inc has the answer to this dilemma. Now through the end of December 2008 visit NationalMSsociety.org and the Movement Marketplace for a chance to win an Endless Pool.

Two-time National Champion Chloe Sutton collected Team USA's first medal of the 2008 Open Water World Championships when she finished third in the 5K open water event in a time of 1:00:09.9. Only one day remains left in the four-day competition at Open Water Worlds.

As a proud sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, AT&T is also offering fans a chance to win a trip for two to Beijing for the 2008 summer Olympics. There are two ways to enter:

1. AT&T Wireless customers can enter by sending the text message TeamUSA to 2008 from their AT&T wireless device.
2. Olympic fans can also register for the chance to win online.

The contest runs through May 30. There will be eight grand-prize winners with one being announced each week starting April 14th. In addition to attending Olympic events, winners will have a chance to meet AT&T-sponsored Team USA athletes. Participants can also earn one bonus entry by submitting an essay, uploading a photo or video demonstrating how they are connected to AT&T-sponsored Team USA hopefuls.

The best swimmers in the USA will be at the Qwest Center in Omaha Nebraska, from 29 June through 6 July, trying to finish in the top two spots to qualify for the US team swimming at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The order of events for the 2008 USA Swimming Olympic Trials is the same as the event schedule that will be used at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. There is a difference, though - in Beijing the Preliminary sessions will begin at 6:30PM, the Finals at 10:00AM.

Mark Warkentin qualified for his first Olympics at the age of 28 today at the 2008 FINA Open Water World Swimming Championships in the 10K open water race. The National Champion earned his spot at the Olympics after finishing 7th in a time of 1:53:37.1. The top 10 finishers in the race automatically qualified for the Olympics where the 10K marathon swimming event will make its first appearance at the Olympic Games. Warkentin is the first swimmer to be named to the U.S. Olympic Team, with Olympic Trials for pool swimming being held June 29 - July 6.

The 2008 FINA Open Water World Swimming Championships (3-8 May, 2008) kicked off today with the 10K open water race in Seville, Spain. The event served as a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games, with the top 10 finishers automatically qualifying to compete at the Olympics. This year will mark the first year the 10K race is swum at the Olympics. Team USA's Kirsten Groome maintained a position in the top 10 for three laps of the four-lap race. When the pace quickened on the final lap, Groome fell to 21st place.

The 2008 U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Championships (1-3 May 2008) concluded with finals competition at the University of Arizona Rec Center Pool. Stanford University and Santa Clara each scored 40 points en route to a shared overall 2008 National Synchronized Swimming Championship Title.