News Round-Up:

Russia: After impressive s/c yards efforts at NCAAs last week in the wake of success at world s/c championships last December, Vladimir Morozov (RUS) is setting his sights on the bigger prize: long-course. He tweeted today a sign overhanging his bed that lists the shards targets he had in mind and the l/c metres goals he has set himself: 21.5 and 47sec for 50 and 100m free respectively. Times that would put the Siberian in play for the second-biggest podium of them all after the Olympic Games. "Had this hanging over my bed for awhile. Now onto that 21.5 and 47," he tweeted. Many world-class swimmers have such signs reminding them of their goals. Few post them to the world. Here's the photo.

Brazil: Thiago Pereira, the Olympic 400 IM silver medallist, is to swim for Sesi, in São Paulo, after negotiations to find a new club at home in Brazil. His contract with Corinthians came to an end with the close of 2012. Sesi's elite team is led by Fernando Vanzella, with whom Pereira has worked before when both were based at Minas Tênis Clube in Belo Horizonte. Pereira's latest move follows the closure of a Rio 2016 dedicated elite team that had been set up by 2008 Olympic champion Cesar Cielo and his entourage.

Italy: At the Memorial Ottaviani at the Foro Italico pool in Rome, Andrea Rolla clocked 23.3 and 51.88 to win the 100 and 200m free. Mattia Pesce won the breaststroke dash in 28.30 and Sylvia Di Pietro took the free and 'fly dashes on 25.59 and 26.90.

Portugal: Miguel Nascimento, a junior racing for Portinado and beating the seniors at home, raced inside consideration times for the World Championships and European Junior Championships with winning efforts of 51.07 and 54.36 in the 100m freestyle and butterfly finals, respectively, at Portuguese nationals in Coimbra over the weekend. Woman of the meet was Florabela Machado, who set a national record of 16:56.22 in the 1500m freestyle and place herself on the list of Barcelona 2013 potentials. Portugal is counting on taking a team of five to world titles, though none have yet cracked the A standard that guarantees them a place in Barcelona this summer. Among other winners at the championships was Diogo Carvalho, Galitos, on 2:03.45 in the 200m medley.

USA: Arena North America has linked up with retired Olympic champion of 2004 and 2008 Aaron Peirsol, an ambassador for the Italian swim kit brand, to provide youth swimmers in Arena Grand Prix host cities a chance to learn. "Arena Grand PrixView Featuring Aaron Peirsol" offers local youth swimmers the chance to compete in the Grand Prix pool and in front of the Grand Prix spectators alongside superstars Peirsol and special guest and four-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans. The event will makes its debut at the Arena Grand Prix at Mesa on April 13. 

Canada: Swimming Canada today reports that Ryan Cochrane, Olympic bronze and silver medallist in the 1500m free, 2008 and 2012, has retired to pursue a career in Bob in readiness for the 2014 Winter Olympics. It is April 1.