Rice set to return to pool after surgery

Triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice plans to return to competition next week as she makes a late bid for Olympic selection following shoulder surgery in December. Rice had an operation to repair a torn tendon in her right shoulder, setting back her chances of competing at this year's London Olympics. The 23-year-old Rice has been entered to compete in four events at the New South Wales state titles from Feb. 10-12, before the national Olympic trials in March. Coach Michael Bohl says Rice will only compete at NSW if she safely gets through a heavy block of training over the next week.