Swimmer breaks record, blames suit
German swimmer Britta Steffen set a world record of 52.85 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle at a meet in Berlin.
The 25-year-old Steffen's record set yesterday was three-hundredths of a second better than the previous mark set by Lisbeth Trickett in March 2008.
Steffen gave credit to a new full-body swimsuit that the German swimmer was wearing. The controversial "hydrofoil" suits are to be banned next year.
Steffen agreed with that decision, saying "this material can destroy the sport of swimming."
In other swimming news:
* The U.S. Olympic swimming trials will return to Omaha, Neb., in 2012, with a temporary pool again being set up inside the Qwest Center. USA Swimming said the trials to choose the U.S. team for the London Games will be held June 25-July 2.
Golf
* Kenny Perry shot a 61 to tie the course record and take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn. U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover was among nine golfers tied at 5-under.
* Germany's Sandra Gal shot an 8-under 64 and leads by one stroke during the darkness-suspended first round at the Wegmans LPGA in Rochester, N.Y.
* Retief Goosen shot an 8-under 64 to lead by two after the first round of the rainy BMW International Open in Munich.
Philly File
* Wings coach Dave Huntley has added general manager to his list of duties. Team president and owner Russ Cline named Huntley to the post, which he occupied during the 1987-88 seasons.
Sport Stops
* The University of Alabama has taken the first step toward appealing a ruling by the NCAA that forced the Crimson Tide football program to vacate 21 wins. The university said it won't contest other sanctions, including 3 years' probation.
* Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong will return to the Tour de France in the unfamiliar role of support rider after his Astana team chose 2007 winner Alberto Contador as its leader for the 3-week race, which begins July 4.
* Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield denies ever taking methamphetamines and says he doesn't know how he failed a random drug test. Mayfield's denial is found in an affidavit that is among documents filed by his attorneys in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, N.C. *
