Americans make big splash

Thompson, Teuscher set Goodwill records

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Wednesday July 29, 1998 12:51 AM

Kirsten Vlieghuis swims the 800 meters freestyle to victory with a time of 2:07.81 AP

UNIONDALE, New York (AP) -- On the first night of swimming team dual meets at the Goodwill Games, American women gave a strong performance, beating their Chinese counterparts 88-34.

Americans Jenny Thompson and Cristina Teuscher each won two individual events on Tuesday, set a games record and swam on a winning relay.

China's swim team has been tainted by drug scandals almost from the time its women started setting world records in 1994, and the United States complained bitterly about performance enhancers from the beginning. Even as recently as last week, four Chinese swimmers were suspended for two years for testing positive.

But there was little indication the Chinese were enhancing their performances Tuesday.

American team captain Lea Maurer, the 1998 world champion in the 100-meter backstroke, swam a strong opening leg in the first event, the 400 medley relay, helping the U.S. team take a 7-0 lead.

The only real setback of the night for the American women came in the 800 freestyle when China's Yan Li and Ping Luo finished first and second respectively to pull into an 8-8 tie in the team standings. First through third places are awarded five, three and one points.

It didn't stay close long, however, as the United States then reeled off six consecutive 1-2 sweeps for a 62-17 lead.

Thompson won the 50 and 100 freestyles and was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay. Her 100 time of 55.56 seconds was a games record.

"I'm a little shocked to have won by that much," said Thompson, who swam the fourth and final leg. "I was just hoping we were in the lead by that time."

Teuscher also won two individual events, the 400 freestyle and the 200 in a games record, and swam third on the freestyle relay that also set a games record.

Maurer won the 100 backstroke and finished second behind Shelly Ripple, also of the United States, in the 200.

In the opening women's dual meet, the World All-Stars defeated Germany 64-58 as Inge DeBruijn of the Netherlands and Penny Heyns of South Africa each set two Goodwill records.

"This is my best performance since the Olympics," Heyns said.

DeBruijn set records in the 50-meter freestyle (25.09) and the 100-meter butterfly (1:00.03). "This is a very fast pool," she said. "Along with the crowd [support], a swimmer can break some records here."  

Related information
Stories
Goodwill Games Medal Tables Sautin wins second Goodwill diving gold Short distance perfect for world champ swimmer Pilczuk Wilkinson wins first Goodwill diving gold for the U.S. Something on your mind?
Stats
Goodwill Games Results
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.