OMAHA — A severe storm packing strong wind damaged the Qwest Center and forced hundreds of swimmers practicing for the U.S. Olympic Trials to evacuate the pools Friday.
Officials at the 7-year-old arena near downtown Omaha closed the building for the rest of the night after the afternoon storm blew through to check the extent of the damage.
Superstar Michael Phelps and hundreds of other swimmers were herded into the hallways of the arena after a tornado warning was issued.
There was no structural damage to the Qwest Center. Repairs were under way and practices were to resume Saturday, according to USA Swimming spokeswoman Jamie Olsen.
Hail, heavy rain and wind of at least 50 mph tore through the city during the storm.
Water poured into parts of the Qwest Center, flowed down two sets of arena steps and onto the deck of the competition pool.
Bulgarian weightlifters out of Games.
SOFIA, Bulgaria — The Bulgarian weightlifting team withdrew from the upcoming Olympics after 11 of its athletes tested positive for a steroid.
Eight members of the men’s team and three women tested positive during out-of-competition checks on June 8-9, a federation statement said.
The federation identified the banned substance as methandienone.
In Greece, 11 weightlifters were suspended for two years earlier this month, also after testing positive for a steroid. Greece still plans to send a team of four weightlifters — three men and a woman — to the Beijing Games.
The Associated Press
