Omaha, Neb.
First, Ryan Lochte. Then, Missy Franklin.
Lochte, an 11-time Olympic medalist but slowed by a groin injury, missed out on his second chance to make the team in an individual event with a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter freestyle. There was some consolation: Lochte at least clinched a spot in the 4×200 relay, so he’ll be in Rio.
Franklin can’t say that yet. The bubbly star of the 2012 London Games struggled to a seventh-place finish in the 100 backstroke, denying her a chance to defend the gold medal she won four years ago.
“I think I am feeling more pressure than I ever have before,” said Franklin, who still has more chances to make the team. “But part of the process is learning how to move forward, and all I cann do is the best I can do.”
Racing just 23 minutes after qualifying for the final of the 200 free, the 21-year-old Franklin couldn’t pull off the grueling double. She finished nearly a body length behind winner Olivia Smoliga and runner-up Kathleen Baker, who will represent the U.S. in what was once Franklin’s signature event.
The only swimmer to finish behind Franklin was 12-time gold medalist Natalie Coughlin. The 33-year-old likely missed out on her best chance to make the team in an individual event, though there’s a chance she could still qualify in a relay.
In the men’s 200 free, Lochte was second at the final turn but couldn’t hold on, either. Townley Haas surged to the victory, followed by Conor Dwyer.
For good measure, another stalwart of the 2012 U.S. team failed to qualify for Rio. Matt Grevers, the defending Olympic gold medalist in the men’s 100 backstroke, finished third behind Ryan Murphy and David Plummer.
Akron, Ohio
The sport has lost two of its biggest stars in the last week. Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion, also said Zika will keep him from competing in Rio de Janeiro.
Day says his only reason for not going is concern over transmission of the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to severe birth defects.
The 28-year-old Australian says while the risk is slight, it’s not one he is willing to take because he plans to have more children.
Day is the fifth golfer to specifically cite Zika for not going to Rio. Four other golfers have turned down their chance to play.
New York
Jenner told the magazine she had a complicated relationship with the medal and had kept it in drawers and in a safe, but never on display.
Jenner, Star Golfer Pulls Outat the time Bruce Jenner, was featured on the SI cover in the Aug. 9, 1976, issue after winning gold.
In her new interview, she said her masculine body at the time disgusted her, but that being macho was the way she tried to convince herself that she wasn’t really a woman.
The special “Where are They Now” double issue featuring Jenner will hit newsstands today.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
President Mauricio Macri said he had spoken by telephone with Messi, who announced his shocking retirement from the Argentine national team following the loss Sunday to Chile on penalty kicks in the Copa America final in the United States.
Messi returned Monday to Argentina, but has not spoken publicly.
Macri said he told Messi to “ignore some of the nonsense because, truth be told, we are all very happy” with how the Barcelona star has played for Argentina.
Messi, who moved to Barcelona at age 13, has often faced tough criticism in Argentina because he has failed to deliver the country a major title — in contrast to his repeated success at Barcelona.