Sports in Brief: No bodysuits, no new records

For the first time in more than a century, the swimming season may end without a single world record.

Swimming governing body FINA outlawed the bodysuits that helped rewrite the record books in 2008 and 2009. As a result, most swimmers are no longer near their best times.

The 2010 record book has already been closed on long-course events without a single entry. This week's short-course world championships in Dubai represent the last chance for a new mark.

"If you see one this week, it's going to be a pretty special performance, so take note," said U.S. women's coach Teri McKeever.

Of the 32 long-course world records, all but four of them were set in 2009 - and only one - Grant Hackett's mark in the 1,500-meter freestyle from 2001 - came before 2008.

In the shorter 25-meter pool, all but 10 of the 42 world marks were set in 2009.

NASCAR: According to a tweet by Ramsey Poston, a NASCAR official, the organization is changing the required dress code for visitors in the pits at races next season: "Another fan friendly move - NASCAR dress code in garage & cold pits now includes: shorts, short sleeve/sleeve-less shirts & open-toed shoes." The rule will not apply to hot pits. In previous years, the policy required everyone to wear long pants, close-toed shoes, and shirts that fully covered the shoulders.

SOCCER: A leading international gay rights group demanded an official apology from FIFA following Sepp Blatter's comment about homosexual fans traveling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

The president of the world soccer governing body said Monday that gay fans "should refrain from any sexual activities" during the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexual behavior is illegal.

Juris Lavrikovs, communications director for the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said the comments were "very unfortunate and have left people deeply offended. . . . We are talking about a very basic human right that is being violated."

Blatter had been asked if he could foresee any cultural problems with the tournament being held in Qatar.

"I'd say they [gay fans] should refrain from any sexual activities," he said, smiling.

Argentina has surpassed neighboring Brazil as the world's largest exporter of soccer players - a trend that some are saying may not be a good thing for the South American country's domestic game.

Players had become assets to be sold off to repay club debts, one agent said. The growing exodus of Argentina's best young players to Europe is leaving a void in the local game.

"The reality today is that a player is a major asset, bringing in more revenue than television, ticket sales, merchandising, licensing," Gerardo Molina, an agent for Euroamericas Sports Marketing, told Reuters.

Argentina, which has produced some of the world's top players including Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez, sold close to 1,800 players between 2009 and 2010 compared with Brazil's 1,440, according to figures compiled by Molina's company.

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Philadelphia Soul signed wide receiver, Randy Hymes for the 2011 season. Hymes, who will be entering his third AFL season, also spent five seasons in the NFL, with the Jaguars and Vikings.

COLLEGES: Philadelphia University hired Lance Lee as the new men's and women's tennis coach effective immediately.

Lee served as director of tennis at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center since 2007 and played tennis for Hampton University. - Wire reports