Steffen breaks world 100 metres freestyle record but credits suit

Published: 25 Jun 09 14:41 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20090625-20189.html

Britta Steffen broke the world record in 100 metres freestyle on Thursday morning in Berlin. But the German swimmer immediately criticised the high-tech suit she was wearing, saying it was making her too fast.

Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim - Society (9 Feb 10)
Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films - Society (9 Feb 10)
Germany facing another blast of winter weather - National (8 Feb 10)

Steffen, 25, said breaking the record was a lifetime dream along with winning Olympic gold, which she has already done twice. But she said the new kinds of suit were ruining the sport.

“My new suit is as if it comes from a different planet,” she said. “One swims as if on an air mattress, I am more than a second faster. Where is it going to lead?”

Steffen broke the 100 metres freestyle record by 3/100 of a second.

She also said the suits were going to be banned soon, which she welcomed: “This suit will no longer be allowed next year, which is a good thing, because this fight over materials is destroying swimming as a sport.”

She said she tried the ‘hydrofoil’ model only a week ago. “I thought, this was not possible,” she said. “This is the craziest thing I have ever worn. You lie on top of the water, don’t die in the last metres, you have no pain.”

The suits have been enormously controversial, with the world swimming association FINA allowing most of the new high-tech suits to be used at the start of the week, including the one worn by Steffens. Ironically, manufacturer Adidas cancelled its contract to provide equipment to the German Swimming Association at the end of 2008 over an argument that its suits were not competitive enough.

FINA is introducing tougher rules at the start of next year, after the 108 world records were broken while wearing the suits, causing concern within the swimming world.

Trainers and athletes criticised the allowance of the suits in world competition, while respected French sports newspaper L’Équipe has refused to recognise any new records until the suits are banned.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It!	Digg This	Facebook	Share everywhere
Send to a friend	Printable version	Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

Today's headlines

Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional

Millions of German families on welfare could receive more government assistance after the nation’s highest court ruled Tuesday the controversial Hartz IV system of payments was unconstitutional. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

Löw backs down in contract dispute

National coach Joachim Löw ended his stand-off with the German Football Federation (DFB) on Tuesday, as both parties agreed to plough all their efforts into Germany's 2010 World Cup campaign. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy

The tough economic climate is failing to dent Germans’ enthusiasm for Karneval, with partygoers set to spend €300 million on costumes and makeup during this year’s season, the Toy Retailers’ Association said Monday. READ »

Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants

Jobseekers with Turkish names are clearly discriminated against when looking for work in Germany, a study released this week has found. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim

Best-selling teenage novelist Helene Hegemann rejected accusations of plagiarism in her debut novel “Axolotl Roadkill” on Tuesday, after it emerged she had taken slabs of text from an anonymous author and blogger. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing

The president of Hamburg's city parliament is reportedly in hot water for ordering authorities to clear the footpaths of ice outside his own home while leaving the rest of the city to slip and slide their way home. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Construction worker confesses in Cologne archive collapse case

Eleven months after the deadly collapse of Cologne’s city archive, a construction worker has given investigators their first confession in the case, media reports said on Tuesday. READ »

Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films

Buyers at the Berlin film festival will be seeing triple this year, as 3-D productions such as "Avatar" transform the global cinema industry. READ »

More Sport

Today's most read Today's most commented

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

Blog

02/11 Berlin blasts landmark tower
12/12 An unlikely German hero for the British press
11/19 More Hitler bollocks from The Sun
09/27 The Trib's guide to Brangelina spotting
09/18 European single market? Not on iTunes

Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

News from the Goethe-Institut

Brokers Not Only of the Word – German-speaking theater publishers
There is hardly a theatrical profession that has recently been so fostered, celebrated, loaded with prizes and grants as young dramatists....
A Remarkable Success Story – the Museum Island in Berlin
The billion-euro renovation of Berlin’s museum island is making good progress.
Erna Baumbauer is Dead: The Lady in the Background
Erna Baumbauer was the “Queen of Bavaria” the first female German actor’s agent ever.
A Jewel for the Capital of Culture – the new Museum Folkwang in Essen
One of the attractions of the former industrial city that aspires to transform itself into a city of culture is the Museum Folkwang rebuild: great art has a great location at last....
When languages die
According to UNESCO, roughly half of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken worldwide are in danger of extinction.

News from Young Germany

First ever study to look at young people, social engagement and civic participation
There is a common perception that young people today have little interest in political parties,...
1st European MBA Career Fair to be held in Berlin
The 1st European MBA Career Fair will take place April 26 at the bcc Berliner Congress Center. For...
MEDPILOT 3.0, new version of the online medical library
The German National Library of Medicine has launched a version 3.0 of its MEDPILOT. The new site...
Akademie Schloss Solitude celebrates 20 years with events, new partnerships
With its press conference on February 3, the Akademie Schloss Solitude announced its jubilee...
ispo - Sport & Style Fully in motion
Joachim Schirrmacher reports on the ever greater influence that sport has on fashion, presents the...

Rosetta Stone German Level 1

News from DeutschlandOnline

German exports up in December
German exports increased in December by a surprise 3 per cent, to record their fourth consecutive...
Seoul should share development lessons, German president says
South Korea should do more to share its experience of economic development, German President Horst...
Germany in good form ahead of Olympics
The German ski-jumping team showed that they are in fine form ahead of the Vancouver Winter...
Afghan farmers replace poppy with saffron in German aid project
A Christian aid project in Afghanistan is encouraging farmers away from the cultivation of poppy...

Jobs in Germany: 571

Show all jobs in Germany

Noticeboard

09/02 Valentine's Party - a party for everyone
09/02 looking for employment
09/02 SOUTH AFRICAN WORLD CUP - ACCOMMODATION
08/02 Marriage
05/02 Seeking Film Production and Software people
03/02 Successful applications

SHOW ALL NOTICES »

Toytown Germany

21:38 What is so great about Italy?
21:33 Sixt car rental now offering winter tires
21:33 Berlin single parent meet-up
21:27 Going to anti-Nazi human chain in Dresden
21:18 Prepaid Phone and flatrate Internet with one SIM?
21:18 Banks in Munich - recommended bank accounts
21:18 Where to get American-style nachos
21:16 How to use the classified advertisements
21:13 German labor laws for sick days
21:07 German toilet designs

FULL INDEX »

Sales managers - country wide
The Local is seeking talented and experienced media sales professionals for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS

Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>

JOB: Nursery Teacher / Early Years Educator
Wolfsburg nursery, specialising in an Early Years Programme, seeks English speaking nursery teacher
FULL JOB DETAILS

JOB: Admin and academic positions
GBCM is currently seeking experienced and ambitious full/part-time staff in the academic field as well as a flexible office manager for roles in an international environment
FULL JOB DETAILS

Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>