Swimming: Popov predicts more records

Four-time Olympic champion Alexander Popov believes the World Championships in Shanghai will witness yet more records.

Popov, who won the 50 metres and 100m freestyle in both the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, predicted new world marks may be seen in the distance events.
The Russian pointed to Chinese swimmer Sun Yang as one of those most likely to set a new benchmark. Sun set the second fastest time in history in the 1,500m freestyle at last year's Asian Games, less than a second off Grant Hackett's long-standing world record.
He also tops the world rankings in all the freestyle events from 200m upwards.
Asked whether records could tumbled, Popov said: "I hope so. Some guys are near in the long distance, the sprints are a bit tough.
"But I am not Nostradamus, so we will see."
Popov also named American pair Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte as two he is looking forward to seeing but insists the former does not need to repeat his feats of 2008 as he is already a living legend.
"He can swim backwards, upwards and downwards," the 39-year-old said.
"Michael Phelps is Michael Phelps, he is up there and we are down here."
Popov was speaking after the Russian city of Kazan was awarded the 2015 World Championships, with Popov a member of the successful delegation. Guadalajara were given the 2017 competition.
The event in China, which begins on Saturday when the diving programme gets under way, starts with the participation of defending 50m and 100m freestyle champion Cesar Cielo as yet unresolved.
Cielo was one of four Brazilian swimmers who tested positive for the diuretic Furosemide in May but they were given just a warning by their national federation rather than a ban.
Governing body FINA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the hearing set for July 20 and a decision due "no later than July 22", with racing starting on July 24.
Popov would not be drawn on Cielo's specific case but he did not shirk from the issue of doping in sport insisting it ultimately came down to morals and principles.
Popov told Press Association Sport: "Until the final decision by the Court of Arbitration is made I think we should refrain from commenting because it is a very delicate issue.
"The IOC is trying to do its best through WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and the national Olympic committees but we have to wait."
Of the issue of whether drugs are a problem in swimming, Popov added: "In sport in general but there are other issues as well.
"So by eliminating one it doesn't really mean you eliminate all of them.
"I guess there is an issue but it is also an issue of ethics, of the athletes themselves, coaches, whoever is in charge.
"It's an ethical issue."
Popov worked under coach Gennadi Touretski, the man who is now guiding five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe following his return to the sport.
He revealed his son Vladimir, 13, is also training under Touretski and said: "It is very interesting.
"I have spoken to Gennadi and he has told me good things about Ian and training."