Swimming superstar Michael Phelps has told BBC Sport he is relishing going head-to-head with fellow American Ryan Lochte at the Olympics.
The pair are due to meet at the US trials which begin in Omaha on Monday, with both aiming to qualify for numerous events in London.
"Being able to watch some of the things he's done and be on the receiving end of some of the defeats he has given me has definitely motivated me, just because I hate to lose," said Phelps.
"One of the cool things about being able to race him, it doesn't matter what shape I'm in, I always leave every ounce of energy in the pool.
"He brings every drop that I have out of my system."
Phelps, 26, won a record eight gold medals in Beijing four years ago, taking his tally to 14 and making him the most successful Olympian ever.
However, Lochte, who has three Olympic golds to his name, is rivalling him for supremacy in London, having won five titles, one more than Phelps, at last year's World Championships.
Phelps says he is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Lochte and told BBC Sport's Matt Slater that he does not like finishing second to anyone.
"I can't stand losing," said Phelps. "It doesn't matter what it is, I always have to be the best.
"I'll practise and do anything, work on some of the small things that make you better. I just despise losing."
Phelps and Lochte are due to face each other in six events at the trials.
Lochte, 27, is entered in 11 events and Phelps seven, although they are unlikely to compete in all of them.
They are scheduled to meet in the 400m individual medley on Monday, then later in the week in the 100m and 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly.
"He's somebody I enjoy racing against and look forward to racing a lot over this year," added Phelps.
Phelps has admitted he struggled for motivation after Beijing, missing six weeks of practice and being suspended from swimming competitively for three months in 2009 after photographs were published appearing to show him smoking cannabis.
Asked about his performances in the pool, he responded: "2009 were OK, but 2010 was a joke. I mean, it was just horrendous.
"I know it was all because of the decisions that I made. Every choice you make, there comes consequences. I may have made the wrong choice but I was able to learn from it, I was able to grow up from it.
"Getting back into it wasn't that good, wasn't that fun, but I had a lot of motivation. Some of the races I didn't want to remember always popped into my head and fired me up even more.
"It's a good thing I was able to go through what I went through and it's kind of going to help fuel the fire."
The Baltimore-native knows his rivals got closer to him while he was not focused on the pool, but he remains confident heading into London.
"I'm playing catch-up," he said. "While they have been working, I've been sitting around doing nothing. It's not easy but it makes it more interesting and it makes it a little more fun. We're going to get there."
Among the others in action in Nebraska are 17-year-old star Missy Franklin and Olympic veterans Natalie Coughlin are Dara Torres, the latter trying to reach her sixth Olympic Games at the age of 45.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
METALS-London copper rebounds from 6-month low - Reuters
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Source: www.reuters.com
Wimbledon 2012: The Britons at the All England Club - BBC News
Eleven Britons, five men and six women, are competing at the 126th Wimbledon Championships this year.
Everyone knows about Andy Murray, but who are the others who will be in action at the All England Club?
THE MEN
JAMIE BAKER
Beaten Baker targeting top 100
Age: 25 Ranking: 186 Entry: Wildcard ATP profile
SW19 record: Has failed to progress beyond the first round in five previous appearances, although took Italy's Andreas Seppi to four sets last year.
What's at stake? The British number three reached a career high in the world rankings thanks to a first-round win over Oliver Golding at the Aegon Championships in June.
The right-handed Scot, who has had to overcome a rare blood disease, has set himself the target of breaking into the top 100.
OLIVER GOLDING
Age: 18 Ranking: 491 Entry: Wildcard ATP Profile
SW19 record: Golding is competing in the main draw for the first time. Reached the second round of qualifying last year in what was his first attempt to reach the first round. He also reached the final of the boys' doubles with Jiri Vesely, where they lost to fellow Briton George Morgan and Mate Pavic.
What's at stake? The 6ft 2in Richmond-based player has steadily climbed up the rankings in the last year, reaching a career high in the world rankings in June. He won the US Open boys' title last year, becoming the first British winner since Andy Murray in 2004.
JOSH GOODALL
Age: 26 Ranking: 215 Entry: Wildcard ATP Profile
SW19 record: His four appearances in the main draw came in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 and ended in the first round each time, although he took Michael Llodra to five sets on the last occasion.
What's at stake? Basingstoke-born Goodall has been climbing up the rankings over the last two years, after a fall, and is closing in on a placing within the top 200 for the first time in four years.
ANDY MURRAY
Murray ready for SW19 and Olympics
Age: 25 Ranking: 4 Entry: Direct ATP Profile
SW19 record: Murray has made six Wimbledon appearances and has reached the semi-finals in each of the last three years, losing against Rafael Nadal in the previous two and Andy Roddick the year before. Nadal was also his nemesis in the 2008 quarter-finals.
What's at stake? The British fans will be pinning their hopes on Murray to finally win a Grand Slam, having already reached three finals - the US Open in 2008 and the Australian Open in 2010 and 2011. No British male has won Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936.
JAMES WARD
Age: 25 Ranking: 173 Entry: Wildcard ATP Profile
SW19 record: The British number two has yet to taste victory in the main draw at Wimbledon. However, he has been paired against tough first-round opponents - Fernando Verdasco in 2009 and Michael Llorda last year.
What's at stake? Shone at Queen's last year, reaching the semi-finals after toppling Stanislas Wawrinka and Sam Querrey, and is hoping to continue his steady progress up the rankings over recent years.
THE WOMEN
ELENA BALTACHA
Age: 28 Ranking: 101 Entry: Direct WTA Profile
SW19 record: Reached the third round in 2002, eventually losing in straight sets to Elena Likhovtseva.
What's at stake? The Scot enjoyed her most successful season to date last year as she reached the second round of every Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
However she has dipped from 50th in the world rankings to 101st this year, blaming ongoing efforts to add variety to her game for her loss of form. A few wins at Wimbledon will give her the momentum needed to rise up the rankings once again.
NAOMI BROADY
Age: 22 Ranking: 228 Entry: Wildcard WTA Profile
SW19 record: Reached the quarter-finals of Junior Wimbledon in 2008. Competed in the main draw for the first time last year thanks to a wildcard but was beaten by fellow Brit Anne Keothavong in the first round.
What's at stake? The British number five, a losing qualifier at this year's Australian Open, has little experience at this level so reaching the second round would be considered an achievement.
ANNE KEOTHAVONG
Age: 28 Ranking: 77 Entry: Direct WTA Profile
SW19 record: The British number one has reached the second round on three occasions, in 2004, 2008 and 2011.
What's at stake? Keothavong will hope to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to lower ranked Hungarian Melinda Czink in the first round of the French Open.
She has leaped above rival Elena Baltacha in the British rankings this year and will be determined to cement her status as the nation's best female by outperforming the likes of Robson, Watson and Baltacha.
JOHANNA KONTA
Age: 21 Ranking: 212 Entry: Wildcard WTA Profile
SW19 record: The Sydney-born right-hander has won seven career titles on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit but has yet play at Wimbledon.
What's at stake? Konta switched allegiances to Great Britain in May and the 21-year-old, one of six British wild cards in the ladies' main draw, will be determined to prove her worth to British tennis.
LAURA ROBSON
Age: 18 Ranking: 97 Entry: Wildcard WTA Profile
SW19 record: In 2008, Robson became the first British junior Wimbledon champion in 24 years. Her best performance in the main draw was reaching the second round in 2011.
What's at stake? The teenager, who qualified for the main draws of the Australian Open and French Open this year but failed to go beyond the first round, will be looking to build on the progress she made last year, where she was beaten by eventual finalist Maria Sharapova in the second round.
HEATHER WATSON
Age: 20 Ranking: 103 Entry: Direct WTA Profile
SW19 record: Beaten in the first round in 2010 & 2011.
What's at stake? After initially being awarded a wildcard, Heather Watson earned a place in the main draw by right following the withdrawal of injured French Open quarter-finalist Kaia Kanepi.
The Guernsey-born right-hander will hope to improve on her performance at Roland Garros - where she progressed to the second round - and reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Rain-soaked Britain due only brief respite from June deluge - The Guardian
Those counting the cost of the recent deluges in northern England, the Isle of Wight, Wales and Sussex can probably draw breath for a day or two – as can those who have tickets for Wimbledon in coming days. It will be generally warmer, brighter and less windy in many parts of Britain until the middle of the week.
But showers and longer spells of potentially heavy rain could be back by next weekend, especially in the north and west – grim news for people whose homes and businesses across Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire fell victim to the latest floods. Firefighters had to rescue people trapped in cars in the Yorkshire dales over the weekend, and train and bus services were badly hit.
The Environment Agency believes, however, that the number of properties flooded so far this month can still be counted in hundreds, rather than the thousands damaged in the infamous summer downpours of 2007 .
The promoter of the Isle of Wight festival, John Giddings, apologised for the chaos surrounding its opening.
Appalling weather stranded people on ferries in the Solent on Thursday as traffic queues backed up from the mud bath festival car parks and blocked ports.
"I am really sorry to everyone who had problems as they arrived at the festival, but I hope that I have made up for it by providing one of the best weekends of music ever. I have to look at it very closely with the police and the council so that it doesn't happen again," Giddings said.
"We knew it was going to happen, we were prepared, we knew there would be adverse weather conditions. It was just slow and we caused a great traffic jam and I am sorry to all those who got stuck in it."
Measures included providing 4x4 vehicles to help tow vehicles stuck in car parks and up to 50 extra police officers drafted in to help the 100 on duty over the weekend. The event closed with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on Sunday night.
Giddings praised the resilience of the 55,000-strong crowd. "It's a British spirit. There's something about British people, they are going to have a good time whatever and I love them for it."
The Met Office had no severe weather warnings in place on Sunday and the Environment Agency scaled back its flood warnings and alerts significantly. The respite, however, is likely to be brief. Forecasters predict more steady rain before the end of a month already expected to be among the wettest on record.
The weather could cloud over with drizzle in south-west England as soon as Tuesday with similar conditions moving steadily northwards later.
"It will be quieter than it has been, which isn't difficult," Rebecca Sherwin of the Met Office said regarding Monday.
Figures for the first two weeks of the month showed big variations in rainfall, she said. North-west Scotland, normally wet, had been very dry while Hampshire and West Sussex had endured twice their average June rainfall.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Anyone for tennis? Thousands of of fans queue up for Wimbledon tickets after England crash out of Euro 2012 - Daily Mirror
Thousands of tennis fans queued up this morning to watch the first day of play at Wimbledon.
Some camped out while others headed to SW19 at the crack of dawn to get tickets for the opening day of the 126th grand slam championships.
Britons will be hoping for a homegrown champion, especially after last night's disappointment in Euro 2012.
The tournament is also a precursor to SW19's Olympics appearance - the games' tennis tournament will be held at the club just three weeks after Wimbledon finishes.
Thousands of people queued today, travelling from across the UK and as far afield as New Zealand and the United States.
Some camped out - Sue Callaghan arrived yesterday morning with a group of friends who come every year to watch the tennis.
The 59-year-old, from Bourton-on-the-Hill in Surrey, said: "We got here at about 10.30am yesterday morning, we managed to get our tents up before the rain.
"I've been coming for 39 years, I come every year. We all met here and now we come each year.
"We keep in touch, send Christmas cards, then all arrange to meet up here."
Another member of the group, 46-year-old Mark Martin, travelled from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland to spend two weeks watching the tennis.
"I used to just do the odd day when I lived closer, but now I think I'll just camp.
"We're just a bit concerned about the mudbath this has turned into."
They were joined by Pam Goodwin, 62, from Portsmouth, and journalism student Adam Fenton, 20, from Stoke-on-Trent.
Asked who they are rooting for, Mr Fenton said their hopes are pinned on British hope Andy Murray.
"We're hoping he'll do well, I think he'll get at least to the semis, but he hasn't been playing at his best recently."
Mark Purdie, 50, his wife Debbie, and their 17-year-old son Scott arranged their holiday to coincide with Wimbledon.
"We've been here since about 6.15am," said Mr Purdie.
"We got here on Friday night, and we're in London until Thursday, then we'll go to Europe for a short time.
"We'll be back for the final but we'll be watching it on the TV."
His wife said: "We love the tennis. It's the second time we've done this - we came two years ago and got Centre Court tickets so we had about three days of tennis."
They predicted Murray will get through to the semi-finals of the tournament, but said they were just looking forward to watching the tennis.
Jim Kozal, 63, and his wife, from Nebraska in the United States, have come to visit their son, who is studying in England, and decided to take in some tennis during their stay.
"The four majors are on our bucket list," Mr Kozal said. "We've been to the US Open, but that was the easy one - this is another one to tick off the list.
"This is my first time at Wimbledon - it's a great experience.
"We're not rooting for anyone in particular, we just love watching them all, it makes no difference who wins.
"It's just the atmosphere, it's so great, you just want to be a part of it."
s will have to wait until tomorrow to see homeside hope Andy Murray take to the court to try again to become the first British male singles champion in 76 years.
But after his French Open quarter-final exit and early crash out of Queen's, hopes have been dampened even more by a nightmare draw.
The 25-year-old faces Nikolay Davydenko, former world number three and ATP World Tour champion, in his first-round match tomorrow.
Today sees world number one Novak Djokovic begin his title defence, opening proceedings on Centre Court against Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Also in first round action is six times champion Roger Federer, who takes on Spain's Albert Ramos on Court One.
And all eyes will be on David Nalbandian - disqualified from the Queen's final - as he meets eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic on Court One.
While Murray is not in action today, several British players are, led by Heather Watson, who takes on Iveta Benesova in a match likely to be played on a show court in the evening.
Former Australian Johanna Konta, who was cleared to compete for Britain last month, faces 28th seed Christina McHale in the last match on Court 17 while Naomi Broady meets Lourdes Dominguez Lino.
In the men's competition, 18-year-old Oli Golding, the US Open junior champion, will take on Russia's Igor Andreev on Court Two and Josh Goodall faces Grega Zemlja on Court Three.
Prize money has been boosted this year - Men's and Ladies' Singles Champions will each receive £1,150,000 - £50,000 more than 2011 - while first-round losers walk away with £14,500.
And according to forecasters it won't be a Wimbledon washout, with the weather set to be warm with sunny spells this week, though occasional showers will threaten to interrupt play.
Bookmakers have already laid odds on rain causing problems - William Hill is giving odds of 3/1 that there will be play on usual rest day Sunday because of rain.
It has also put Andy Murray at 10/1 to lift the men's title, a campaign he will start tomorrow.
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
Djokovic feeling confident for Wimbledon defense - msnbc.com
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Tennis Writer
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - The question drew a chuckle from Novak Djokovic.
Could the prestigious Grand Slam tournament Wimbledon, officially called simply The Championships, be thought of as a dress rehearsal this year?
After all, the tennis portion of the London Olympics will be held on the same grass courts at the All England Club, starting July 28, three weeks following the end of Wimbledon.
"I don't believe that Wimbledon can be rehearsal for anything," Djokovic said Sunday, gently tapping his fingers on the desk in front of him. "It's (the) most respected, most well-known, most valuable tennis tournament in the world. This is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of our sport. Of course, Olympic Games are something (beyond) comparison with any other tournaments."
OK, so forget the notion of Wimbledon-as-tuneup. Still, the No. 1-ranked Djokovic and others are excited about the prospect of playing at their sport's most hallowed ground for more than one prize this season.
"It is very emotional, because it is not just you who matters there, it's the whole nation. So there is a huge excitement going on with all the tennis players prior to the Olympic Games," said Djokovic, who will carry Serbia's flag at the opening ceremony next month.
Serena Williams explained: "As a tennis player, you get to play Grand Slams, which you get to play every other week, it seems. You don't think about the Olympics. It's just an added bonus."
Djokovic begins the defense of his Wimbledon title - and, um, Olympic preparations - on Monday, playing the first match on Centre Court, an honor given the previous year's male champion. He'll face Juan Carlos Ferrero, who won the French Open in 2003 and briefly held the top spot in the ATP rankings that year.
Others scheduled to play on Day 1 include No. 3 Roger Federer, a six-time Wimbledon champion, against 43rd-ranked Albert Ramos; No. 1 Maria Sharapova against 133rd-ranked Anastasia Rodionova; five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams against 79th-ranked Elena Vesnina; four-time major champion Kim Clijsters, who's entered in the tournament for the final time before retiring in September, against another former No. 1, Jelena Jankovic; along with Americans John Isner, James Blake, Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Melanie Oudin and Sloane Stephens.
They'll all be wearing "almost entirely white" clothing to adhere to the tournament's strict rules, which call for a player to be defaulted if not in proper attire. That'll change come Olympic time, though, as will other aspects of the look and feel of the place - such as the sure-to-be-ubiquitous five-ring logos.
Clijsters spoke Sunday about recently receiving her Belgian Olympic outfit.
"I saw the red skirt," she recounted. "I was like, 'Red skirt at Wimbledon?'"
Said Djokovic: "It's going to be interesting to see colors in Wimbledon, I believe, because we always go out on the court all-white dressed. We're going to have the opportunity to wear the national colors, so it's going to be interesting to see that."
Then, turning to tennis talk, he added: "Knowing that I had great success in 2011 on Wimbledon grass actually gives me confidence before this year's Wimbledon and Olympic Games."
Not that he lacks self-belief anywhere. Or should.
Djokovic won four of the last six Grand Slam titles, and nearly became the first man in 43 years to earn four in a row. But his 27-match winning streak at major tournaments ended with a four-set loss to No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the French Open final two weeks ago.
Asked how he was able to put that in the past, Djokovic replied: "Well, I had to."
"It's behind me now - I was so close - even though there was a slight disappointment after the match, because I was aware of the chance that I had in Roland Garros," he said. "But the day after, I felt good about my tournament, about my achievement in Paris. It was the first time I ever have been in the finals of Roland Garros. ... I'm still only 25, so I believe that I have a lot more years and a lot more chances to win Roland Garros."
He famously plucked some blades of grass from the Centre Court lawn, then shoved them in his mouth, after beating Nadal in last year's Wimbledon final.
That was Djokovic's first title of any sort on grass, allowed him to overtake Nadal atop the rankings and cemented the Serb as the new man to beat in tennis. He followed that up by beating Nadal in the finals at the U.S. Open in September and Australian Open in January, too.
They are the first men to meet in four successive Grand Slam finals; even Nadal and Federer never played each other in more than two in a row, although their eight major finals overall (Nadal leads 6-2) is a record.
"When I started to play well, Roger always was there. With Novak, it's little bit the other way: I was there, and then he came," said Nadal, who has played in five Wimbledon finals, winning two. "So (it's) difficult for me to analyze which rivalry is more important, less important, more attractive, less attractive."
There is something about which Nadal is certain, however, when it comes to all of these matchups with Djokovic and Federer on the sport's biggest stages.
"If you are not able to improve your level of tennis," Nadal said, "you are dead."
___
Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com
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