Smoke is rising off the water at Auburn in the States - and things are about to get even hotter when sprint emperor Cesar Cielo gets home from home next Monday: check out the troop of talent in coach Brett Hawke's pond

Today marks the 50th birthday of Vladimir Salnikov, the Russian who led the way below 15 minutes over 1,500m back in Moscow 1980 and made a spectacular return to regain the Olympic 30-lap crown in 1988 eight years later

Could news of an extended contract for Paul Biedermann cover a home world championships, now that Dubai has withdrawn from being host of FINA's 2013 showcase?; Hamburg was among bidders to lose out against Dubai

NY Times reports on complaints to US OC against USA Swimming - timing of events favours federation; Brazil add Samba to Canadian tri-meet; delays over settling Roma2009 debt; Scott Talbot heads Auckland centre; Belgian team for Budapest

US star to be paid $100,000 if he races in at least two events at Paris Open in June; "He (Phelps) told us 'I can guarantee you that I'm not coming to France, home of the sprinters, to hide myself away and not compete in the 100m'." - Christian Donze, FFN