PAUL NEWBERRY

AP National Writer

Athletes jump into the water to compete in the swimming race in the Seine river, during the mixed relay triathlon, at the 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris, France, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Martin Bureau/Pool Photo via AP)

Amid concerns about dirty water and strong current, marathon swimmers dive into the Seine River

Athletes jump into the water to compete in the swimming race in the Seine river, during the mixed relay triathlon, at the 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris, France, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Martin Bureau/Pool Photo via AP)

Open water swimmers train in Seine River ahead of 10-kilometer Olympic marathon races

Olympic open water swimmers have trained in the long-polluted Seine River after Paris organizers determined it was safe to dive in.

Former Olympic champion Michael Phelps, from the United States, waves to fans ahead of the evening swimming session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

One and done: Michael Phelps calls for a lifetime ban for anyone who’s caught doping

In the wake of a Chinese doping scandal, Michael Phelps doubled down on his support for tougher sanctions — including a lifetime ban for anyone who tests positive. He called it “one and done.”

Caeleb Dressel of United States, warms up ahead of the men's 50-meter freestyle final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Americans have more depth than anyone at the pool, but gold medals harder and harder to come by

No one can match America’s depth at the pool. That’s not about to change anytime soon. Then again, claiming the top step of the Olympic medal podium is no longer a given for U.S. swimmers.

United States' gold medalists Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh, and Torri Huske pose for photo on the podium for the women's 4x100-meter medley relay at the Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

On a wild final night of swimming, U.S. sets two world records, edges Australia in gold-medal race

The United States closed out Olympic swimming with a wide range of emotions. The Americans set two world records on the final night, winning the gold-medal count over rival Australia and easing the sting of the first loss ever in the men’s 4x100-meter medley relay.

United States' Torri Huske celebrates winning the last lap in the mixed 4x100-meter medley relay final at the Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Torri Huske claims a starring role for U.S. team at Paris Olympics

While some of the biggest names in American swimming have faltered at the Paris Olympics, Torri Huske has claimed a starring role.

United States' Katie Ledecky celebrates with the gold medal during the awards ceremony for the women's 800-meter freestyle at the Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Katie Ledecky swims into history with 800 freestyle victory at the Paris Olympics

Katie Ledecky has capped another stellar Olympics by becoming only the second swimmer to win the same event at four straight Summer Games, holding off Ariarne Titmus to win the 800-meter freestyle.

FILE - Simone Manuel is introduced before the Women's 100 freestyle finals Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. Manuel became the first Black female swimmer to claim an individual gold medal. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Simone Manuel flops in the 50 free, fails to advance out of the heats in Olympic swimming

In another disappointment for the American swim team, Simone Manuel has been eliminated in the preliminaries of the 50-meter freestyle.

Wang Shun, of China, competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Another Chinese Olympic swimming medalist linked to doping scandal denies any wrongdoing

Wang Shun vehemently denies that he ever cheated after winning a bronze medal in the men’s 200-meter individual medley at the Paris Olympics.

Leon Marchand of France, celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Léon Marchand captures 4th Olympic swimming gold, setting off a party across Paris

Léon Marchand completed his dominating run through the Paris Olympics, capturing his fourth swimming gold with another runaway victory in the 200-meter individual medley Friday night.

China's Long Daoyi and Wang Zongyuan compete in the men's synchronised 3m springboard diving final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Finally, some drama at Olympic diving. China barely holds off Mexico for fourth straight gold medal

After three days of domination, powerhouse China received its first serious challenge in Olympic diving from Mexico in men’s synchronized 3-meter event.

United States' women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay team pose with their silver medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Ledecky wins record 13th medal with a silver. Summer McIntosh and Kate Douglass strike gold

Another romp for Summer McIntosh. A gold medal for Kate Douglass. And, to cap things off, a record-breaking night for Katie Ledecky.

Gold medalist Leon Marchand, center, of France, waves as he stands on the winner's podium with silver medalist Zac Stubblety-Cook, left, of Australia, and bronze medalist Caspar Corbeau, of the Netherlands, following the men's 200-meter breaststroke final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Léon The Great: Marchand accomplishes a feat that was downright Phelps-like

If there’s anyone who can appreciate the magnitude of what Léon Marchand has done at the Paris Olympics, it’s Bob Bowman.

Leon Marchand, of France, celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Léon Marchand pulls off one of the most audacious doubles in swimming history at the Paris Olympics

Turns out, those comparisons to Michael Phelps weren’t farfetched at all when it comes to Léon Marchand. They certainly weren’t a burden for the 22-year-old Frenchman.

Summer McIntosh, of Canada, competes during a heat in the women's 200-meter butterfly at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Many top swimmers are going slower than expected in the Olympic pool. Is it too shallow?

The atmosphere for Olympic swimming is electrifying. The times? Not so much. Through the first five days of competition in the portable pool at La Defense Arena, only one world record has been set.

Regan Smith, of the United States, poses with her silver medal for the women's 100-meter backstroke final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Silver and bronze are the favorite Olympic colors for red, white and blue swimmers

The favorite colors for the red, white and blue at the Olympic swimming pool are silver and bronze. Through four days at La Defense Arena, the mighty U.S. team has won a bunch of medals — 15 in all — but only two are gold.

Kaylee McKeown, of Australia, celebrates after winning the women's 100-meter backstroke final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Kaylee McKeown still rules the Olympic backstroke, beating Regan Smith in women’s 100 meters

Kaylee McKeown still rules the women’s Olympic backstroke. The Australian knocked off world-record holder Regan Smith of the United States in the 100 back, defending the title she won in Tokyo.

Katie Ledecky, of the United States, competes during a heat in the women's 1500-meter freestyle at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Olympic swimming: Ledecky is fastest in heats of 1500; Marchand advances in 2 more races

Katie Ledecky got started on what she hopes will be her first gold medal of the Paris Olympics, fastest in the heats of the 1,500-meter freestyle.

Summer McIntosh, of Canada, celebrates after winning the women's 400-meter individual medley final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Swimming’s next generation, from all over the globe, claims the spotlight at Paris Olympics

Swimming’s next generation of stars claimed the spotlight at the Paris Olympics on Monday night, a brash group that comes from all over the globe. Summer McIntosh, the 17-year-old phenom from Canada. David Popovici, a 19-year-old from Romania.

China's Lian Junjie and Yang Hao celebrate on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's synchronised 10m platform diving final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

China claims diving record with its 49th Olympic gold medal, surpassing the United States

China has won more diving gold medals than any other country, passing the one-time powerhouse United States for the top spot on the table.

China's Lian Junjie and Yang Hao compete in the men's synchronised 10m platform diving final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

China makes it 2 for 2 in Olympic diving, leaving Britain’s Tom Daley with a silver

With Tom Daley out of the way, China is another step closer to an unprecedented sweep at the Olympic diving pool.

Gold medalist, Nicolo Martinenghi, center, of Italy, stands with silver medalists, Nic Fink, right, of the the United States, and Adam Peaty, of Britain, on the podium after the men's 100-meter breaststroke final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Full-time engineer Nic Fink relishes the first Olympic medal of his late-blooming career

For Nic Fink, this was a long time coming. Which only made it sweeter. The 31-year-old swimmer who splits time at the pool with a full-time engineering job claimed the first Olympic medal of his late-blooming career.

Leon Marchand, of France, celebrates after winning the men's 400-meter individual medley final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Vive la France! Léon Marchand fulfills the hopes of his nation with a swimming gold in 400 IM

With a flag-waving crowd cheering his every stroke, Léon Marchand delivered a swimming gold for France with a dominating victory in the men’s 400-meter individual medley.

Leon Marchand, of France, reacts after competing in a heat in the men's 400-meter individual medley at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

With French fans cheering every stroke, Marchand cruises to fastest time in men’s medley

With a boisterous crowd cheering him on, Léon Marchand began his home Olympics by cruising to the fastest time in the preliminaries of the 400-meter individual medley.

Ariarne Titmus, of Australia, left, celebrates after winning the women's 400-meter freestyle final as Katie Ledecky, of the United States, reacts at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Terminated again: Titmus hands Ledecky another Olympic defeat, claiming gold in the 400 free

It was billed as one of the most anticipated races of the Paris Olympics. Ariarne Titmus turned it into a blowout. Titmus left Katie Ledecky in her wake at La Defense Arena, leading from start to finish to win the 400-meter freestyle.

Katie Ledecky, of the United States, right, and Ariarne Titmus, of Australia, during a heat in the women's 400-meter freestyle at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Katie Ledecky starts Olympic swimming with fastest time in 400 free prelims, just ahead of Titmus

Katie Ledecky has fired the first salvo in her duel with Ariarne Titmus, posting the fastest time the preliminaries of the women’s 400-meter freestyle as the swimming competition began at the Paris Olympics.

The swimming pool for Olympic competitions is seen in the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, outside Paris, Monday July 5, 2024. The Paris La Defense Arena will host the swimming and some water polo events during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Bertrand Guay/ Pool via AP)

Swimming in stadiums becomes the norm as sport sets up in a rugby arena for 2024 Paris Olympics

The main swimming pool for the Paris Olympics is set up in a 30,000-seat rugby stadium on the city’s western edge, Sound strange? Not really.

Australian swimmers and coaches check out the pool at La Defense Arena ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Australian coach under fire at Paris Olympics after saying he’s pulling for South Korean swimmer

An Australian swimming coach is under fire from his own team after saying he was pulling for a South Korean athlete to beat his country’s medal contenders at the Olympics.

Katie Ledecky gets ready for the Women's 800 freestyle finals Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the US Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Katie Ledecky just keeps chugging along, still excited about swimming after all these years

For Katie Ledecky, there is seemingly no such thing as burnout. Sure, there are times when it all gets a bit monotonous, staring at that black line at the bottom of the pool, turning lap after lap.

FILE - American Olympic medalists Amanda Beard, left, Natalie Coughlin, right, and Michael Phelps pose in Speedo "LZR Racer" swimsuits during a news conference introducing the suits in New York, Feb. 12, 2008. The iconic LZR Racer, the swimsuit that Michael Phelps wore while winning eight golds medals at the Beijing Olympics, is still revered around Speedo's design center. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Even with restrictive rules, swimsuit wars heat up in an Olympic year

The swimsuit that Michael Phelps wore while winning eight golds medals at the Beijing Olympics is still revered around Speedo’s design center. The LZR Racer is a reminder of just how much a suit can help an athlete.