Swimmer denies publishing images of lover

Italian swimmer Luca Marin has denied putting explicit photos of his former lover, French swimmer Laure Manaudou, online.

The pair were the talk of the European short-course swimming championships in Hungary after they had a very public spat.

France's Manaudou, who took gold in the 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle in Debrecen, threw away a ring given to her by Marin before arguing with him in front of other swimmers and the camera in the changing rooms.

Nude photos and a video of Manaudou have now appeared on the web.

"I know nothing about the video and have only seen the photos. Yes, it looks like it's really her but it is ridiculous to think that it was me who put them there," said Marin.

Marin, who lost his 400m medley title, also denied accusations from French witnesses that he had verbally abused Manaudou in public.

"They are inventions. I only said that she had done a very rude thing (by throwing the ring away) and that I was happy she was no longer my girlfriend," he added.

Manaudou caused a rumpus in France in May when she joined the LaPresse Nuoto club in Turin, saying she wanted a new challenge and wished to be nearer her then boyfriend Marin.

But the club fired her three months later, citing attitude problems.

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