Rice drops out of 100m fly for Rome

Australian swimming champion Stephanie Rice gave up her world championships spot in the 100 metres butterfly Tuesday because of a scheduling clash with her pet event, Australia's head coach said. Rice, who won three Olympic gold medals at last year's Beijing Games, earned a berth in the race after finishing second at this month's Australian Championships.

But head coach Alan Thompson said Rice, 20, decided to drop the event from her Rome programme after discovering that it clashed with the 200 metres individual medley.

"She is the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder in this event and she sees this as one of her pet events," said Thompson.

"It is never an easy decision to give up an individual event but it would have been a tough double." Reigning 50m and 100m butterfly world short course champion Felicity Galvez would take Rice's place, he said.

SYDNEY, AFP