Heyns awarded $10,000 for world record

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Posted: Sunday August 02, 1998 08:17 PM

Heyns set the 50-meter breaststroke record of 30.95 seconds on her way to winning the 100-meter breaststroke gold AP

EAST MEADOW, New York (Reuters) -- South African swimmer Penny Heyns has been awarded U.S.$10,000 by the Goodwill Games for setting a 50-meter breaststroke world record.

Heyns, a double Olympic champion, set the record of 30.95 seconds on the way to winning the 100-meter breaststroke gold in 1:09.46 Saturday night. The previous world's best for 50 meters was 31.58 set by Silke Hoerner of East Germany in 1988.

A bonus prize of $50,000 is being offered for world records set at the Goodwill Games. Goodwill officials, however, said Heyns did not qualify because the 50-meter breaststroke was not a Games event, even though the sport's ruling body, FINA, recognizes the 50-meter record.

After learning she would not receive the world record bonus, Heyns expressed bitter disappointment. Goodwill Games officials later decided she would be awarded $10,000, pending ratification of the result by FINA.

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