Beijing Olympic Games

Shanteau diagnosed with testicular cancer

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - American swimmer Eric Shanteau has been diagnosised with testicular cancer but still plans to race at the Beijing Olympics, U.S. Swimming said on Friday.

Shanteau qualified for a spot on the U.S. squad at last week’s Olympic trials in Omaha, finishing second in the 200 meters breaststroke behind Scott Spann.

The top two finishers in each event at the U.S. trials secured Olympic berths.

U.S. Swimming said doctors had cleared Shanteau to compete in the trials despite being diagnosed with the disease.

It will be the first Olympics for Shanteau after narrowly missing out on the Athens Olympics with third place finishes in the 200 and 400m medley at the 2004 U.S. trials.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Detroit, editing by Alan Baldwin)