Swimming scandal churns in Rio as competition continues

RIO DE JANEIRO – Swimming scandal churns in Rio as competition continues

Team USA swimmers Gunner Bentz and UT Longhorn Jack Conger were removed from their flight to Houston late Wednesday night by Brazilian authorities and their passports were temporarily confiscated, the USOC said.

The two were removed from the flight after a judge ordered gold medalist Ryan Lochte and San Antonio swimmer Jimmy Feigen to stay in Brazil.

Authorities in Rio are questioning the swimmers' claims that they were robbed at gunpoint early Sunday after a party.

Police said they have found little evidence to support the swimmers' claims.

Lochte is already back in the U.S.

Feigen is still in Brazil and is cooperating with police.

The Olympics are continuing in Rio.

Reigning gold medal decathlete Ashton Eaton is hoping for back-to-back titles in track and field competition on Thursday.

Team USA's Justin Gatlin and LaShawn Merrit will come out of the blocks against Jamaica's Usain Bolt in the 200-meter final.

LaPorte silver medalist Kerron Clement and Michael Tinsley will be on the track for the 400-meter hurdles final.

In diving, first-time Olympians Jessica Parratto and Katrina Young compete in the platform semifinals.
Plano's Connor Fields is making a push for the podium in BMX cycling. He is fourth going into the quarterfinals.

The U.S. women's basketball team faces France in the semifinals. The Team USA men take on Spain in the semis.

Italy plays Brazil in the men's beach volleyball gold-medal match Thursday night.

The bronze match will be decided between Russia and the Netherlands.

Two Texas women, Stacy Lewis of The Woodlands and Gerina Piller of Fort Worth, play in the second round of women's golf.