FINA To Review High-Tech Swimsuits

FINA, the world governing body for swimming, will hold a forum in February to discuss placing possible restrictions on the use of long-length, high-tech swim suits, The Times of London has reported.

"It's been a busy year. It's time to breathe, to review all issues with the suits in the sport," Cornel Marculescu, the executive director of FINA, told The Times.

Marculescu said the forum would "certainly" lead to rule changes that take account of "modern developments in the sport" and ensure that "a sensible framework can be established, so that we can set the limits of what is and is not acceptable". The intention is to impose a new suit rule in time for the FINA Congress on the eve of the World Championships in Rome in July.

The impact of compression and new fabric technology on swimming has dominated debate in the sport since Speedo launched its LZR Racer suit in February. Since then, companies such as adidas, Arena, blueseventy and TYR have joined the race to find the fastest suit, contributing to new global standards in 54 long-course and 35 short-course events, The Times wrote.

To see The Times report in full: here.

By Amy Shipley  |  November 18, 2008; 9:14 AM ET  | Category:  Swimming
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