The Latest: Hurdler Pearson tears hamstring, will miss Rio


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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Latest on Olympic events ahead of the Rio Games (all times local):

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8:15 a.m.

Australia's Sally Pearson will not defend her Olympic hurdles title in Rio de Janeiro after tearing a tendon in her hamstring, yet another setback in a year beset by injuries.

Pearson, the 100-meter hurdles Olympic gold medalist at the 2012 London Games and silver medalist at Beijing in 2008, told Australia's Channel Nine news Wednesday that she was "gutted" by the extent of the training injury.

The 29-year-old Pearson missed 12 months of competition because of surgery and recovery after breaking her wrist during an event. She said this month her preparation was hampered by a "niggly hamstring."

She returned to competition on June 5, a year and a day after crashing over a hurdle at a Diamond League meet in Rome. She had three races in Europe before returning to Australia to work on her speed.

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7:40 a.m.

The United States is assembling an Olympic swimming team that Michael Phelps hardly recognizes.

Nearly halfway through the eight-day trials, the team bound for Rio next month has as many as 17 first-timers. Left in their wake so far are such stalwarts as Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, Matt Grevers, Tyler Clary and Jessica Hardy.

Phelps, who turns 31 on Friday, and teenager Katie Ledecky appear to be the only sure things at a meet described by Phelps as more pressure-packed than the Olympics.

Four years ago, Franklin was a bubbly teenager who became a star at the London Games, winning five medals, including four golds. But Franklin won't be defending her gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke after finishing a stunning seventh in the final Tuesday night.

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