SB Nation Seattle - Olympic Trials 2012: U.S. Track And Field, Swimming Trials Schedules & Results

Rafael Nadal Withdraws From London Olympics

2012-07-19T18:51:29Z

Whenever an athlete gets a chance to represent their home country, it's likely said athlete will be champing at the bit to make sure that they take advantage of that opportunity. But when it comes to your health, sometimes you simply can't give your best performance.

Such is the case with professional tennis player Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the 2012 Olympic Games because of ongoing tendinitis in his knees.

Nadal was looking forward to defending his gold medal he won in the 2008 games in Bejing for his homeland Spain, but simply can't get healthy enough in time for the start of the games. Obviously he is saddened by the news, but knows there are other excellent tennis players who will now get a golden opportunity for their home country.

"[This is] one of the saddest days of my career as one of my biggest ambitions, that of being Spain's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony of the Games in London, cannot be."

"I do not find myself in a condition to compete," he said, adding: "I have to think about my companions. I can't be selfish, and I have to think of what's best for Spanish sport, especially tennis and Spanish players, and give fellow sportsmen with better preparation the chance to compete."

The All England Club, home of the annual Championships Wimbledon, will play host for the tennis matches at this year's Olympics, the site of two of Nadal's grand slam victories in 2008 and 2010.

2012 US Olympic Trials: Jeneba Tarmoh Surrenders 100M Spot To Allyson Felix, Runoff Canceled

2012-07-02T17:17:32Z

What would have been high drama television is presumably no longer going to happen as Jeneba Tarmoh has surrendered her spot on the women's 100m team to Allyson Felix instead of going through with the scheduled runoff that would have been broadcasted on NBC at 8 p.m. ET, according to USA Today's David Leon Moore and ESPN's Josina Anderson.

"When I spoke to Jeneba (on Sunday), I got from her that she was uncomfortable with the idea of a runoff and a coin toss and that she was no longer at peace with the idea," Tarmoh's agent, Kimberly Holland, told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "After she spoke with me, Jeneba told Allyson (Felix) how she felt. My understanding of how Jeneba left that conversation was that she wished her good luck and was conceding the 100-meter spot to Allyson."

Also according to ESPN, USATF officials have advised Tarmoh to sleep on the decision.

Tarmoh and Felix tied for third place in the 100m finals resulting in the USATF trying to figure out a way to break the tie.

For complete coverage of the 2012 Summer Games, please visit SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.

Olympic Swimming Trials 2012 Results: Michael Phelps Edges Ryan Lochte

2012-06-28T12:30:13Z

Here are some of the results for Day 3 of the 2012 Olympic Trials.

Michael Phelps slightly edged out Ryan Lochte in the 200 meter freestyle. It was a close race all the way, but Phelps managed to dig it out. Lochte won the 400 meter individual medley the first day, so the two are now split ins swimming finals where they've been paired against each other. They can settle it by whomever wins the 200 IM, where both are heavily favored to win.

Missy Franklin and Rachel Bootsma captured the two spots for the 100 meter backstroke, edging out legend Natalie Coughlin. Coughlin will now have to hope she can qualify on the 100 freestyle if she hopes to get back to London.

Finally, Matt Grevers finished first in the 100 meter backstroke, the second fastest ever in the race's history, with Nick Thoman going second.

For complete coverage of the 2012 Summer Games, please visit SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.

Oregon's Ashton Eaton Named USATF Athlete Of The Week

2012-06-28T12:01:01Z

University of Oregon graduate Ashton Eaton has had himself quite the week at the 2012 Olympic Track and Field Trails this week, shattering the world record in the decathlon down in Eugene on Saturday. For his efforts the United States Track and Field team (USATF) has named him their athlete of the week.

Eaton beat the previous record but 13 points, scoring 9,039 points compared to the the previous record of 9,026 points set by the Czech Republic's Roman Sebrle way back in 2001. Eaton needed to finish better than 4:16.23 in the 1500m to capture record, and made sure to make the most of his chances:

"I felt in the moment," Eaton said in a post-event press conference. "I knew there was maybe not another opportunity to make this count."

This marked the fifth time an American set a decathlon world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Bruce Jenner was the last to accomplish it in 1976. Both Jenner and fellow former record holder Dan O'Brien greeted Eaton at the finish line.

Eaton also set two individual event decathlon world records with a 10.21 second finish in the100m while leaping to a 8.23m/27-0 in the long jump. Most impressive indeed.

Olympic Swimming Trials 2012: Live TV Schedule

2012-06-27T22:48:29Z

We move onto Day 3 of the United States Olympics Swimming Trials. There are several events that will have their heats going on, including the women's 200 meter freestyle, the men's 200 meter butterfly, and the women's 200 meter individual medley. You'll be able to see those tape-delayed heats on NBC Sports Network starting at 4 PM PT, 7 PM ET.

200m Free - Semifinal, Men's 200m Free - Final, Women's 100m Back - Final, Men's 100m Back - Final, Women's 100m Breast - Final, Men's 200m Fly - Semifinal, Women's 200m IM - Semifinal

The finals will be tape-delayed on NBC on the West Coast, although you'll be able to watch it online live at 5 PM PT if you have the right provider. There will be semifinals in the women's 200 meter freestyle, the men's 200 meter butterfly, and the women's 200 meter IM. There will also be three finals in the men's 200 meter freestyle, the men's and women's 100 meter backstroke, and the men's 100 meter breaststroke.

For lots more information regarding the 2012 Summer Games, please visit SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.

Olympic Swimming Trials Results: Ryan Lochte Edges Michael Phelps In Semifinals

2012-06-27T03:43:43Z

The amount of talent amassed on the Team USA swimming squad is pretty phenomenal right now, and we had a great day of trails on Tuesday in Omaha. The biggest race of the day came at the 200-meter freestyle semifinals, which featured Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

The two swimmers were neck-and-neck throughout the race, finishing in a photo finish for the ages. Lochte completed his segment in 1 minute and 45.25 seconds. Phelps finished in 1 minute and 45.27 seconds. That's about the time it takes to blink an eyelash, and we can only expect more of these fantastic finishes during the 2012 Olympics in London.

In other swimming news, Brendan Hanson qualified for his third Olympic Team by winning the men's 100m backstroke.

Two ladies clinched their spot on the team on Tuesday night. Dana Vollmer won the women's 100m butterfly, while Allison Schmitt took home the title in the women's 400m freestyle.

For complete coverage of the 2012 Summer Games, please visit SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.

Olympic Swimming Trials 2012: Live Online Streaming Coverage

2012-06-26T20:56:44Z

Some good news for those of you on the West Coast. You can watch the online stream if you're subscribed to cable TV coverage. If your cable or satellite provider has CNBC and MSNBC, you should sign up and register via your cable and satellite account to become eligible to watch Olympic coverage all the way through London 2012. The finals of the events are tape-delayed on the West Coast until 8 PM PT (as opposed to the rest of the country which should be able to view it live). If you are eligible for online coverage, you'll be able to watch it online live at 5 PM PT if you have the right provider.

Tonight, you'll be able to watch the semis in the women's 100 meter freestyle, the women's 200 meter breaststroke, and the men's 200 meter IM and 200 meter backstroke,. There will also be three finals in the men's 200 meter breaststroke and 100 meter freestyle as well as the women's 200 meter butterfly.

For lots more information regarding the 2012 Summer Games, please visit SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.

2012 Olympic Trials, Swimming: Live TV Schedule

2012-06-26T16:00:45Z

The Olympic Track and Field Trials will take the next two days off. As we move into Tuesday action, what can we expect?

Swimming is the lone sport that has trials going on today. There are several events that will have their heats going on, including the men's and women's 100 meter backstroke, the men's 200 meter freestyle, the women's 100 meter breaststroke, and the women's 400 meter freestyle. You'll be able to see those tape-delayed heats on NBC Sports Network starting at 3:30 PM PT, 6:30 PM ET (and the rest of the heats can be seen live on usswimming.org)

Tape-delayed on NBC on the West Coast (although you'll be able to watch it online live at 5 PM PT if you have the right provider) will be the finals and semifinals of multiple events. There will be semifinals in the women's 100 meter freestyle, the men's 200 meter backstroke, the women's 200 meter breaststroke, and the men's 200 meter IM.

There will also be three finals in the men's 200 meter breaststroke, the men's 100 meter freestyle, and the women's 200 meter butterfly.

For lots more information regarding the 2012 Summer Games, please visit SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.