;Lord Colin Moynihan said Ye, 16, had passed drug tests, was "clean" and deserved recognition for her talent.
Ye smashed her personal best by at least five seconds in the 400m Medley.
Senior US coach John Leonard said her performance was disturbing and hinted that doping could have been involved.
Mr Leonard, executive director of the World Swimming Coaches Association, said the performance reminded him of the East German women swimmers in the 1980s, who were doping on a systematic basis.
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"History in our sport will tell you that every time we see something, and I will put quotation marks around this, unbelievable, history shows us that it turns out later on there was doping involved," he told the UK's Guardian newspaper.
But Ye, who will compete later in the 200m Medley final, has strongly defended herself and denied that she would ever use banned substances.
China's anti-doping chief has said that Chinese athletes have undergone nearly 100 drugs tests since arriving in London, and that not a single Chinese athlete had tested positive.
Former swimmers, other Olympic champions and experts have all given their support to Ye.
Lord Moynihan told a news conference that the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) was "on top of the game".
"She's been through Wada's programme and she's clean. That's the end of the story. Ye Shiwen deserves recognition for her talent," he said.
Former British Olympic champion Adrian Moorhouse said the rumours appeared to be a case of sour grapes.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
15-year-old Lithuanian teenager Ruta Meilutyte bags historic gold
;London: Lithuanian teenager Ruta Meilutyte stole the pool headlines at the London Olympics Monday as she gave her country the first Olympic swimming gold in the women's 100 metres breaststroke.
On her international debut, the 15-year-old Meilutyte clocked 1:05.47 to touch the wall first, Xinhua reported.
American Rebecca Soni, silver medallist at Beijing Games, chased her to finish second in 1:05.55. The bronze medal went to Japan's Satomi Suzuki who posted 1:06.46I can't believe it. It's too much for me," said Meilutyte in tears.
"It was hard and difficult. At the moment I can't speak too much. But it means a lot to me and I'm so proud," said Meilutyte, who trains in Plymouth, Britain.
She easily seized the lead after diving off the block, and never looked back to touch the end. A capacity of Lithuanian athletes, coaches and volunteers roared on the tribune for her, sharing with her the historic success.
Soni was a little disappointed for a silver but said she learned something along the way.
It is the first-ever Olympic medal for Lithuania. Meilutyte is the sole female swimmer of her country in London together with other three male swimmers in the squad.
A day before, the teenager blazed set an European record of 1:05.21 in the women's 100 metres breaststroke semifinal as the fastest qualifier, also her personal best
On her international debut, the 15-year-old Meilutyte clocked 1:05.47 to touch the wall first, Xinhua reported.
American Rebecca Soni, silver medallist at Beijing Games, chased her to finish second in 1:05.55. The bronze medal went to Japan's Satomi Suzuki who posted 1:06.46I can't believe it. It's too much for me," said Meilutyte in tears.
"It was hard and difficult. At the moment I can't speak too much. But it means a lot to me and I'm so proud," said Meilutyte, who trains in Plymouth, Britain.
She easily seized the lead after diving off the block, and never looked back to touch the end. A capacity of Lithuanian athletes, coaches and volunteers roared on the tribune for her, sharing with her the historic success.
Soni was a little disappointed for a silver but said she learned something along the way.
It is the first-ever Olympic medal for Lithuania. Meilutyte is the sole female swimmer of her country in London together with other three male swimmers in the squad.
A day before, the teenager blazed set an European record of 1:05.21 in the women's 100 metres breaststroke semifinal as the fastest qualifier, also her personal best
London 2012: Missy Franklin and Ye Shiwen steal show in pool: Kelly
;Seventeen-year-old American Missy Franklin’s vertiginous physique is anchored by a pair of seal flippers — size 13 feet. It takes her so long to get from heel to toe, she rolls along as if she’s on board a ship in heavy water.
Chinese 16-year-old Ye Shiwen was pointed toward the pool as a 9-year-old when her schoolteacher noticed the size of her hands. In China, promising youth are funneled into sports programs when unusual physical characteristics are remarked.
Abnormally large paws. That’s the end of the similarities between the two emerging pool stars of London 2012, both gold medallists looking for more.
Franklin, an endearingly gawky giantess, belongs to that long line of Canadian fish tales — “The one who got away.” She was born in California and raised in Colorado, but both of her parents are Canadian. Her father Dick was drafted by the Argos.
As a 12-year-old, Franklin’s parents asked her to pick the country she would compete for. Her mother, D.A., pushed for the easier road in Canada. Franklin instead chose what she knew.
Swimming Canada played no role in this decision. At the time, they didn’t realize Franklin had Canadian roots. In the last two years, according to Swimming Canada boss Pierre Lafontaine, they’ve expanded their efforts to recruit the kids of expats living in the U.S. One of them — Colorado freestyler Brent Worsley — is competing in the maple leaf here.
Chinese 16-year-old Ye Shiwen was pointed toward the pool as a 9-year-old when her schoolteacher noticed the size of her hands. In China, promising youth are funneled into sports programs when unusual physical characteristics are remarked.
Abnormally large paws. That’s the end of the similarities between the two emerging pool stars of London 2012, both gold medallists looking for more.
Franklin, an endearingly gawky giantess, belongs to that long line of Canadian fish tales — “The one who got away.” She was born in California and raised in Colorado, but both of her parents are Canadian. Her father Dick was drafted by the Argos.
As a 12-year-old, Franklin’s parents asked her to pick the country she would compete for. Her mother, D.A., pushed for the easier road in Canada. Franklin instead chose what she knew.
Swimming Canada played no role in this decision. At the time, they didn’t realize Franklin had Canadian roots. In the last two years, according to Swimming Canada boss Pierre Lafontaine, they’ve expanded their efforts to recruit the kids of expats living in the U.S. One of them — Colorado freestyler Brent Worsley — is competing in the maple leaf here.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
What happened to Michael Phelps? Ryan Lochte blitzes everyone in 400 IM
;rankly, the race was over after the first 100 meters. The only suspense was whether Michael Phelps would win a medal at all.
In Pictures: Today at the Olympics
Related stories
Olympics swimming: 5 athletes to watch
Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte: race set to shake the London Olympics
Opening Ceremony London 2012: wit and charm on a midsummer's night
2012 London Olympics quiz: Are you ready for a gold medal?
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He didn't. In fact, he didn't come all that close. And now we must wait until Monday – for the heats of the 200-meter butterfly – to begin to answer the question no one was asking before these Games began.
What happened to Michael Phelps?
RECOMMENDED: 5 swimmers to watch
From start to finish, the 400-meter individual medley was Lochte's race. He could have swum with the gold medal already around his neck, and he still would have finished first. By a lot. Billed as a showdown between two of the greatest swimmers ever, Lochte swam against only invisible competition – the golden world-record line on TV that just beat him to the finish.
Slightly ahead of the field after 100 meters of freestyle, Lochte needed rearview mirrors to see it after the backstroke and breaststroke. By the time he finished, the swimmer in second place was three body-lengths behind.
In Pictures: Today at the Olympics
Related stories
Olympics swimming: 5 athletes to watch
Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte: race set to shake the London Olympics
Opening Ceremony London 2012: wit and charm on a midsummer's night
2012 London Olympics quiz: Are you ready for a gold medal?
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He didn't. In fact, he didn't come all that close. And now we must wait until Monday – for the heats of the 200-meter butterfly – to begin to answer the question no one was asking before these Games began.
What happened to Michael Phelps?
RECOMMENDED: 5 swimmers to watch
From start to finish, the 400-meter individual medley was Lochte's race. He could have swum with the gold medal already around his neck, and he still would have finished first. By a lot. Billed as a showdown between two of the greatest swimmers ever, Lochte swam against only invisible competition – the golden world-record line on TV that just beat him to the finish.
Slightly ahead of the field after 100 meters of freestyle, Lochte needed rearview mirrors to see it after the backstroke and breaststroke. By the time he finished, the swimmer in second place was three body-lengths behind.
Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen give China 2 golds and a world record on opening night of swimming
;Sun Yang propped himself up on the lane rope, posed for the cameras and let out a big roar as he pounded his fists into the water.
China's Sun Yang reacts after finishing first in the men's 400-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012.(AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)
It was the start of a big night for a Chinese swimming team that is developing into a major power.
Shortly after Sun won the 400-meter freestyle by a large margin over defending champion Park Tae-hwan, 16-year-old teammate Ye Shiwen announced her arrival on swimming's greatest stage with a world record in the grueling 400 individual medley.
Ye celebrated with teammate Li Xuanxu in the next lane, who took bronze.
Sun had already made himself known by taking down Grant Hackett's 11-year-old world record in the marathon-like 1,500 free before a home crowd at last year's world championships in Shanghai, but he had never won an Olympic medal.
"I was so eager and impatient to go on the podium," said Sun, shedding tears after cooling down from his victory celebration. "Today if I cry it's really because I worked hard for one year, or even more. I get up very early and worked very hard. This is a reward for me and my coach, who is not well. After I return he will go through surgery. My parents came. They are really great parents, they gave me so much."
Sun trains under Hackett's former coach Denis Cotterell.
Park was temporarily disqualified for a false start in morning heats, but was then reinstated following an appeal.
"With him in the final I think this is a good ac
China's Sun Yang reacts after finishing first in the men's 400-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012.(AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)
It was the start of a big night for a Chinese swimming team that is developing into a major power.
Shortly after Sun won the 400-meter freestyle by a large margin over defending champion Park Tae-hwan, 16-year-old teammate Ye Shiwen announced her arrival on swimming's greatest stage with a world record in the grueling 400 individual medley.
Ye celebrated with teammate Li Xuanxu in the next lane, who took bronze.
Sun had already made himself known by taking down Grant Hackett's 11-year-old world record in the marathon-like 1,500 free before a home crowd at last year's world championships in Shanghai, but he had never won an Olympic medal.
"I was so eager and impatient to go on the podium," said Sun, shedding tears after cooling down from his victory celebration. "Today if I cry it's really because I worked hard for one year, or even more. I get up very early and worked very hard. This is a reward for me and my coach, who is not well. After I return he will go through surgery. My parents came. They are really great parents, they gave me so much."
Sun trains under Hackett's former coach Denis Cotterell.
Park was temporarily disqualified for a false start in morning heats, but was then reinstated following an appeal.
"With him in the final I think this is a good ac
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Ernie Els wins The Open 2012 as Adam Scott collapses
;Poor, poor Adam Scott. The Australian has joined Jean Van de Velde and, dare we whisper it, Scott’s hero Greg Norman, as the kings of golfing calamity. As natural as it was to feel deep joy for Els, the veteran who many had give up on after 10 barren years, it was easier to feel intense sympathy for Scott.
With four holes to go he was four ahead and 1-50 with the bookies. The inscriber was in full scrape. Four bogeys later, Scott was in total and merciless ignominy. The pain was apparent when he walked off the green, but he quickly composed himself and displayed an upper-lip so tight he would have made an old officer proud. No tears, just cheers for Els. But this will hurt when it sinks in. It simply has to.
As a teenager he had sat in his Queensland home in floods of tears as he watched Norman, his inspiration, concede a six-shot lead to Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters. On Sunday Norman was due to play golf in Scotland in preparation for this week’s Senior Open at Turnberry. He cancelled his plans.
With four holes to go he was four ahead and 1-50 with the bookies. The inscriber was in full scrape. Four bogeys later, Scott was in total and merciless ignominy. The pain was apparent when he walked off the green, but he quickly composed himself and displayed an upper-lip so tight he would have made an old officer proud. No tears, just cheers for Els. But this will hurt when it sinks in. It simply has to.
As a teenager he had sat in his Queensland home in floods of tears as he watched Norman, his inspiration, concede a six-shot lead to Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters. On Sunday Norman was due to play golf in Scotland in preparation for this week’s Senior Open at Turnberry. He cancelled his plans.
Teen Choice Awards 2012: Fashion Highlights From The Red Carpet (PHOTOS)
;The Teen Choice Awards got under way with a star-studded red carpet Sunday night, followed by a slew of awards, which were handed out at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles.
The teen-fueled ceremony honors film, TV, music and sports stars in such silly categories as choice hottie, villain, liplock and hissy fit. A record 134 million votes were cast this year.
Pictures: The red carpet
The first award of the night, choice comedian, went to Ellen DeGeneres. After accepting her surfboard, she honored Sophia Grace and Rosie with the choice web award.
"The Vampire Diaries" scored the choice TV honor in the sci-fi/fantasy category. Other winners included Zac Efron for choice actor in a drama and Michael Trevino for choice male TV scene stealer. In the movie category, "21 Jump Street" scored choice comedy.
When Selena Gomez picked up the choice music group for her band, Selena Gomez and the Scene, the crowd sang her a warm "Happy Birthday." Gomez, who was sitting in the audience next to her beau Justin Bieber, turned 22 on Sunday.
This year's choice hottie awards went to Miley Cyrus and Ian Somerhalder. Cyrus wasn't there to accept the honor, but Somerhalder thanked fans on her behalf.
Going into the 14th annual ceremony, Kristen Stewart's "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" and "Snow White and the Huntsman" both led the nominees at the fan-favorite ceremony with seven nods a piece. Others with multiple surfboard-shaped trophy nods included the CW's "The Vampire Diaries" with six nominations, and Fox's "American Idol" and Justin Bieber with five nods each.
The teen-fueled ceremony honors film, TV, music and sports stars in such silly categories as choice hottie, villain, liplock and hissy fit. A record 134 million votes were cast this year.
Pictures: The red carpet
The first award of the night, choice comedian, went to Ellen DeGeneres. After accepting her surfboard, she honored Sophia Grace and Rosie with the choice web award.
"The Vampire Diaries" scored the choice TV honor in the sci-fi/fantasy category. Other winners included Zac Efron for choice actor in a drama and Michael Trevino for choice male TV scene stealer. In the movie category, "21 Jump Street" scored choice comedy.
When Selena Gomez picked up the choice music group for her band, Selena Gomez and the Scene, the crowd sang her a warm "Happy Birthday." Gomez, who was sitting in the audience next to her beau Justin Bieber, turned 22 on Sunday.
This year's choice hottie awards went to Miley Cyrus and Ian Somerhalder. Cyrus wasn't there to accept the honor, but Somerhalder thanked fans on her behalf.
Going into the 14th annual ceremony, Kristen Stewart's "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" and "Snow White and the Huntsman" both led the nominees at the fan-favorite ceremony with seven nods a piece. Others with multiple surfboard-shaped trophy nods included the CW's "The Vampire Diaries" with six nominations, and Fox's "American Idol" and Justin Bieber with five nods each.
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