The big season is upon us in the race pool: August will witness US trials, Commonwealth and Pan Pacs; in the first of two articles on where the sport has come from and where it is going, we take a look at the depth of change on the clock

Day 1 Canadian Summer Nationals

As the European Championships in Hungary loom large, Gemma Spofforth (GBR) and Anastasia Zueva (RUS), gold and silver and both record breakers in Rome last summer, enter the arena for our latest 'How Rivals Square Up'

Jackie Cobell, 56, became the slowest crosser of the English Channel when she took 28 hours and 44 minutes to swim from Dover to Calais; Pioneer Captain Matthew Webb managed it in under 22hrs in 1875

Federation calls for convention to include non-members on its list of those flagged for alleged misconduct to further protect athletes; convention to vote on proposed measures in September

USA Swimming is taking further steps to bolster its athlete protection measures, including a requirement for "all USA Swimming member Clubs to complete a series of pre-employment screening actions prior to hiring

Indian media outlets are reporting that a diver was injured today at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex; swim meet almost ended in disaster before it began after temporary roof "gave way"

'I do not want to restrict his focus to comparison with the icon Biedermann. He will need to be wary of all his competitors...' - Agnel's coach as Budapest battle looms; Italy team revealed; Alshammar put to the test in Italian lab

No supercharged lederhosen anticipated in the race pool but Bavaria's famous car make, BMW, has signed up to be USA Swimming's mobility partner for the next six years

Comm Games: August 1 completion dates for swim and athletics venues will not be met; catering contracts cancelled to cut costs; no telecoms partner; 340 plus weeks since 'games on', Delhi has about 10 to go before its date with destiny

Ranomi Kromowidjojo remains in hospital in Tenerife and is being treated for viral meningitis. "At the moment her condition is stable but still really painful," - Dutch head coach Jacco Verhaeren; Budapest hopes fade

Albert Subirats, with two of the best five efforts at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, helped Venezuela win the swim meet with 14 gold medals to six for Mexico; top 3 results in full

The land of Park Tae-hwan throws its cap in the ring for the world titles that Dubai abandoned; son of Alex Baumann steps up for first age title; Seebohm glad to see back on shiny suits and points to Beijing as a turning point

Spanish world record holder confirms that papers have arrived at home but can't say what they are just yet because his mum can't read English; Kromowidjojo may have meningitis; Park races at home for first time since 2008; Roma09 investigations roll on

A tale from the dope-dunked world of Indian weightlifters shows why swimming should find its own path; and on that path is a note from Mark Schubert that serves as a warning to all in the race pool and stands up for clean sport

Harvard's Meyer takes men's 25km crown; Heister takes's women's title for Dutch; Grimaldi in tears after red card; Italy take FINA team trophy ahead of USA and Russia; championships highlight need for honesty and clarity

Speedo confirms that the Aussie FS-Pro was rejected by FINA because it has a double layer of fabric in the legs - so why does Swimming Australia still allow its athletes to wear a suit now banned under international rules?

Olympic and world silver medallist emerges from a successful back operation at a clinic in Munich and says next target is Dubai worlds; date set for Wittstock marriage to Prince Albert; Munoz clocks 53.77 100 'fy; Subirats on 52.53

The FINA approved suits lists updated May 31, and then printed out and used by three federations on that date and two dates in early June did not include some suits worn in Roberval; deadline regime needs tightening

The source of the confusion on suits in Roberval: FINA Technical Committee and a second FINA source confirmed in writing to the Portuguese federation that zippers could be used in open water suits; FINA to issue clarification to all feds