LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – The 362 doping tests run for the July 2011 swimming World Cup in Shanghai have all come back negative, FINA (world swimming federation) announced 22 August from its head office in Lausanne. The tests included 311 urine samples and 51 blood tests.
Rainbow 19 June near Chamoson, canton Valais: expect some showers or cloudiness at the start of the weekend, then sun and warm weather Sunday
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The Lake Geneva region and canton Valais can expect a bit of mixed weather late Friday and Saturday, with temperatures in the 11-23C range. Bring out the sun cream for Sunday, though, when temperatures will climb to 28C and not a cloud in sight, we’re promised.
You won’t run out of things to do, from watching regattas on Lake Geneva to flea markets to seeing how wine is made, if you check out our weekend events listings. Add in a good dose of exercise by trying out the new Swiss hiking/biking/skating official Swisstopo maps that you can get online and as handy mobile apps, or head for some of canton Vaud’s beautiful outdoor public swimming pools when the air warms up Sunday.
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Fina, the Lausanne-based international swimmers federation, has banned a number of swimmers based on doping control results, including US diver Harrison Jones and Australian water polo player James Stanton. The results date back some weeks but were recently posted by Fina. Stanton’s ban for the controversial Clembuterol, for which Tour de France cycling winner Alberto Contador tested positive, comes as the Shanghai World Championships in swimming announced a food safety programme 22 June.
The Shanghai programme says all hotels and designated restaurants for athletes, VIP officials, referees, technical officials and media stay will be checked for several substances, in addition to regular food safety checks, farm to food.
Clembuterol has been linked in a small number of cases to contamination through food.
Jones tested positive for marijuana in Iowa City, Iowa in the US 5 February and was banned for a year starting 6 April 2011. Jones, a student at the University of Southern California, won the 3-metre springboard title in Iowa City, reports USA Today. He tested positive for the substance a year earlier and received a three-month ban.
Stanton tested positive for the anabolic agent Clembuterol in September 2010 and was banned for two years, starting in October 2010.
Clembuterol tests have sparked controversy in the sports world and Wada, the Lausanne-based sports doping control agency in Lausanne, was reported by several sports publications in early to mid-June to be considering changing the rules to review positive tests on a case by case basis. Wada responded in a published statement by saying only that “each case is different and all elements need to be taken into account”.
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Heat. Sun. Swimming. Summer is here, but so are Geneva Lake’s infamous Cercariae, commonly known as duck fleas. Making an early appearance this year, they have already proven to be a problem, even though they usually appear in warmer water, around 20 degrees Celsius.
Map of beaches and water quality for 2010 around Lake Geneva ©CIPEL (click on image to view larger)
However, there are several different conditions that favor the growth of Cercariae, the microscopic female larvae of a parasite, says the International Commission for the Protection of Lake Geneva: an abundance of lake vegetation, snails and ducks.
How the duck fleas get into human skin
The parasites already on the ducks lay eggs that pass into the bloodstream and are eventually excreted into the water. They hatch into miracidia and colonize in snails where they mature into Cercariae. These larvae find ducks and burrow beneath their skin to conclude the cycle.
But from time to time, the Cercariae mistake lake swimmers for ducks, and penetrate the outer layer of human skin. The larvae die there, resulting in a very itchy rash called Swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis.
Life cycle of Cercariae ©CDC
How to protect yourself
You can take steps to protect yourself, says Secoe, the Geneva water ecology service, even though there is currently no duck flea repellent available. A shower after a dip in the lake and toweling off vigorously can help to eliminate the Cercariae before they have time to penetrate the skin. To reduce the possibility of coming into contact with the parasite, you should avoid swimming in warm, shallow water for long periods of time since this is where snails are most likely to live.
Dealing with the rash
If you do get a rash, try not to scratch it because this may lead to secondary infections. Cold compresses, a mild cortisone cream, an antihistamine or calamine lotion should help. Normally, the rash disappears on its own after a couple of weeks, otherwise contact a dermatologist or a pharmacist.
Anti-doping agency appeals Spanish court ruling on cyclist Contador
Rowing to Lausanne, home to many of the world's sports federations
Update 30 March Lauanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Lausanne’s role as an international centre for sports organizations has been highlighted in recent days with a number of decisions taken in the city at the “other” end of Lake Geneva.
The city has been much in the sports world news in recent months as doping decisions in several sports, notably cycling, have gone to Cas (Court for Arbitration in Sport). Last week the Union Cycliste Iternationale said it will contest a decision made by the Spanish cycling union to clear Alberto Contador of doping in 2010.
Contador won the Tour de France four days after testing positive, but he argued that it was due to eating contaminated meat, reports Bloomberg.
Sports Illustrated reports 30 March that Wada, the World Anti-Doping Agency based in Lausanne, has also appealed to Cas to overturn the Spanish ruling, and that Cas aims to hear the appeals and make a decision before the next Tour de France cycling race in July.
Other Lausanne decisions include:
- SportAwards has announced the shortlist for its various Spirit of Sports awards that commend athletes and sports organizations for commitment and humanitarian spirit, to those who have made an exceptional and lasting contribution “to using sport as a tool for positive social change”; the awards are handed out 8 April (Sports Features)
- The international equestrian federation, FEI, was scheduled to have a vote on reorganizing what many consider its too heavy structure at an extraordinary general meeting 15 May, but country federations have said they need more time to study the proposals and the meeting will now be used only to discuss changes; a move to reduce the 19-person bureau with a smaller board failed in 2009 (Horse and Hound)
- The IOC’s (International Olympic Committee) Swiss director general Urs Lacotte is retiring 31 March for health reasons; he has been responsible for the IOC’s administrative side (USA Today)
- China’s “impressive tally” of 12 medals at the Fina/Midea Diving World Series 2011 sealed their dominance of the sport, with European countries together winning 8 medals, at Beijing’s Water Cube (Swimming World Magazine)
- Also in swimming, Lubos Krizko, 31-year-old Slovakian who twice won at the Olympics, has been banned by Fina for two years after he failed a doping test, for taking tamoxifin, a drug used to treat breast cancer but sometimes used to hide the side effects of steroids (AP)
- The International Figure-skating Union announced 24 March that it is moving the world championships from Japan to Moscow and rescheduling them for 24 April following the earthquake in Japan (Bloomberg).
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Fina, the international swimming organization based in Lausanne, says an investigation has been opened into the death Sunday of 26-year-old US open water swimmer Fran Crippen. Crippen, from Pennsylvania, and a 2009 bronze winner, died towards the end of a 10-km marathon open water race in the United Arab Emirates.
Fina noted in a press release: “Following the tragic death of open water swimmer Fran Crippen (USA) in the last leg of the Fina 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2010 on October 23 in Fujairah (UAE), and in respect for his memory, Fina decided to cancel the 10th and final leg (15km) of the Fina Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2010, also scheduled for Fujairah, on October 27.
The final ranking of the Fina Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2010 is then the one established after the ninth race of the competition, on August 14, in Ohrid Lake (MKD).”
Video Fran Crippen talks about swimming
Links to other sites: Fina, Toronto Sun
CGN staff have additional safety work trying to discourage teenagers from playing around the big boats and to educate the public about the dangers of coming close to them or swimming in their docking areas
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) - The paddlewheelers of the CGN boat company that offer tourists and residents pleasure cruises around the lake have been playing an additional role in recent days, that of rescuer.
Storms and high winds on Lake Geneva have caught sailors and others by surprise, and Saturday 17 July one of the large craft intervened for the third time since the summer season opened in mid-June, during 15 dramatic moments.
A small boat 300 metres out from Cully began to sink and the two men on board were desperately trying to bail out the water and to fight strong, gusting winds when the Général-Guisan paddlewheeler spotted them. It turned, slowed down and gently came alongside, offering to take them on board.
Tourists at Montreux this week: Lake Geneva is a popular attraction, in addition to the jazz festival
Montreux, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) - An American in his thirties drowned while swimming in Lake Geneva, near the Chillon beach in Montreux Tuesday afternoon 6 July, Vaud police say.
He and a fellow American were swimming together near the Chateau de Chillon, but the friend lost sight of him around 14:00 and an alarm was quickly raised. A 14-man rescue operation recovered his body, 15 metres from the beach, in three metres of water.
An investigation into the death is underway.
The area around Montreux is filled with tourists this week, with the Montreux Jazz Festival running until 17 July.
UPDATE: Regina Spektor announces the death of Daniel Cho during her performance in Switzerland.
Geneva cools off at the beach (photo, ©2010, Peter Brodbeck)
Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) – There’s no excuse for being bored or lonely this weekend, with the weather hot and sunny and crowds hitting the lakes and swimming pools, as well as concert halls and outdoor arenas.
Two of the biggest and best music events in Switzerland are taking place: the Montreux Jazz Festival (ticket information) in canton Vaud and Zurich’s Zuerifaescht 2010. See our Geneva Living guide to surviving Montreux for all the practical tips, plus a host of freebies, and if you’re heading for Zurich, seriously consider taking the train because parking will be at a premium in the packed-out city.
Weather forecast: hot hot hot and more sunshine – be sure to check the national weather service forecasts on the GenevaLunch weather page, and pack some sun lotion and water bottles into your bags. Highs between 31 and 33 throughout Switzerland, for the next five days.
Swimming: the swimming pools by the lakeside are one of Lake Geneva’s best vacation features, and there are plenty of beaches around the lake, so check out our list and head for the water to cool off.
Lake Geneva beach, click to enlarge
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) – With temperatures around 30C all this week and plenty of sunshine (see weather forecast) Lake Geneva is pulling the crowds. And with good reason, for 93 of the 116 beaches around the lake in France and Switzerland are categorized as “very good” in and terms of cleanliness and 21 as “average” by Cipel, the international commission that overlooks the lake. Only one beach has been deemed unfit for swimming and is closed, in Thonons-les-bains, France. The beaches are measured for bacteria.
The lake water quality is excellent everywhere 50 metres away from shore, but Cipel reminds the public that the lake water is not potable and should not be drunk.
Warm weather for several days could encourage duck fleas, which thrive even in healthy water when the temperature is over 20C, water is shallow and vegetation thrives. The fleas leave skin red and itchy and are actually due to the larvae of a duck parasite. The problem is not serious, but it’s important not to scratch and cause a secondary infection, warns Cipel. It goes away without treatment in 10-20 days.
Detailed map of Lake Geneva beaches, listing water quality for each and pdf map with names of the beaches, quality ratings
Update 31 August 06:30 Martigny and Valais, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The week’s end death and serious injury toll from non-road accidents in the Lake Geneva area in Switzerland was high, with 2 young men in critical condition after a swimming pool accident in Martigny and a diving accident in Prangins, and three people dead from mountain climbing accidents.
An American student, 20, is in critical condition, reports the Tribune de Geneve, following a diving accident Sunday afternoon at the Plage de Promenthoux in Prangins. Diving is banned along the lakefront in the area because of the shallow water. He was flown by a Rega helicopter to the Lucerne paraplegic trauma centre after receiving emergency treatment at the site of the accident.
A 23-year-old and two friends climbed the municipal pool fence at 05:00 Saturday, according to 24 Heures, and once in the pool two of them noticed that their friend was missing.
[golf stars video] Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Women boxers will be able to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London and their participation in several other sports, including wrestling, cycling and swimming, as well as tennis doubles, is likely to increase following a decision by the IOC executive board on new sports for the Games. Boxing was the only Olympic sport without women competitors in the last Olympic games in Beijing in August 2008. There will be three weight categories, while the men will lose one of their 11 classes. The decision has been welcomed as a step forward for gender equality but also criticized by Headway, the brain injury association because of potential dangers.
Seven-a-side rugby and golf have been recommended for entry to the 2016 Games in South Africa and will now need the approval of the full IOC, which meets in Copenhagen in October. Golf and rugby federations are being invited to present their sports.
Beach Lake Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Swiss national tourism office is kicking off the summer by offering a new nifty online service that allows you to obtain the most important details of all 250 participating swimming pools and beaches in Switzerland, in English. The web site, myswitzerland.com, gives you details that include water and air temperature, opening hours, and admission prices. If you click on the name of the pool, you get even more information, like the exact address or number of parking places available. You can have an sms sent to your cell phone – only Swiss providers so far – with the pool details of your favourite pool.
iPhone users can download an application from the site or from the Apple store at myswitzerland.com/mobileapp or by pressing the iTunes icon on the phone.
A word of warning, though. Geneva pools and beaches are not on the list yet, but there’s a good selection of pools and beaches in Vaud and Valais. And as with all ephemeral information, it is only as good as its updates.
Related: “Don’t swim near the big boats! say CGN, Vaud police“ 11 June 2009, GenevaLunch
Four people have drowned in separate accidents in Ireland as crowds flock to rivers to cool off in exceptionally warm weather. In 24 hours rivers Barrow, Nore, Suir and the Shannon claimed four lives. Irish Times
US Olympic champion Michael Phelps has been suspended by the USA Swimming, the body that oversees competitive swimming in the country, and his contract with food manufacturer Kelloggs will not be renewed at the end of February, the company says, after Phelps appeared in the UK tabloid News of the World smoking from a bong. County police in South Carolina are investigating whether the party the 23-year-old attended involved marijuana. CNN
Title: International swimming competition
Location: Geneva
Link out: Click here
Description: 42nd swimming competition
Start Date: 16 Jan 2009
End Date: 18 Jan 2009
All about indoor and outdoor swimming pools in Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux and canton Vaud in general. Document is in French.
Lake Geneva Region, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – By Saturday 17 May all the swimming pools in the region will be open, but with temperatures dropping from a high of 20C Friday to a chilly 12C Saturday, only the brave are likely to take to the water. Sunday temperatures are expected to creep back up to 16C. Keep your swimming gear handy, however, as the pools, many with good grassy “beaches” and spectacular views, are one of the best features of a Lake Geneva summer.
Some of the region’s larger pools: Aubonne, Geneva, Lausanne, Morges, Nyons, Pully, Renens, Versoix. Still not sure which pool to go to? Check the GenevaLunch resources page for a complete listing of swimming pools in Geneva and Vaud including those that offer swimming classes. If you prefer swimming in the lake, then, pick your Lake Geneva beach!
Photo: Nyon pool Friday morning, sunny but crowds were not a problem.
