The following has been circulated by British Swimming...
Swimsuit query
There are occasions when, for religious reasons, a swimmer needs to remain covered and the wearing of a full length body suit should not pose a barrier to the individual taking part in training and/or competition. The Legal Department has provided guidance in relation to this and the document can be accessed via the link below.
www.swimming.org/assets/uploads/library/Swimwear_and_Equality_Guidance_Note_130210v4_Re_PrintFINAL.pdf
Jane Davies
British Swimming Officials Group.
Parents
Former Member
From the rule book:
102.12 Swimwear for Pool Competition
102.12.1 Design—The swimsuits worn for competition shall be nontransparent and
conform to the current concept of the appropriate. The referee shall have
authority to bar offenders from competition until they comply with this
rule.
A Swimwear shall include only a swimsuit, cap and goggles (a nose clip
and ear plugs are allowed). Armbands or legbands shall not be regarded
as parts of the swimsuit and are not allowed.
B In swimming competitions, the competitor must wear only one swimsuit
in one or two pieces. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials.
For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the
knees, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder
nor extend below the knees.
C Only swimsuits complying with FINA swimsuit specifications may be
worn in any USMS sanctioned or recognized competition.
D Exemptions to the foregoing restrictions may be granted to a swimmer,
on a case by case basis, by the chair of the Rules Committee or designee.
Exemptions will be granted only for conflicts due to the swimmer’s
verified religious beliefs or verified medical conditions.
(1) Procedures for applying for an exemption will be established by
the Rules Committee and posted on the U.S. Masters Swimming
website.
(2) No exemption to these restrictions will be granted for a swimsuit
that will give the swimmer a competitive advantage.
(3) The decision of the Rules Committee chair may be appealed only
to the entire Rules Committee, whose decision shall be final and
binding on all parties.
E No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or substance to
enhance speed, pace, buoyancy or endurance during a race (such as
webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.). Goggles may be worn, and rubdown
oil applied if not considered excessive by the referee. Any kind of tape
on the body is not permitted unless approved by the referee.
From the rule book:
102.12 Swimwear for Pool Competition
102.12.1 Design—The swimsuits worn for competition shall be nontransparent and
conform to the current concept of the appropriate. The referee shall have
authority to bar offenders from competition until they comply with this
rule.
A Swimwear shall include only a swimsuit, cap and goggles (a nose clip
and ear plugs are allowed). Armbands or legbands shall not be regarded
as parts of the swimsuit and are not allowed.
B In swimming competitions, the competitor must wear only one swimsuit
in one or two pieces. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials.
For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the
knees, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder
nor extend below the knees.
C Only swimsuits complying with FINA swimsuit specifications may be
worn in any USMS sanctioned or recognized competition.
D Exemptions to the foregoing restrictions may be granted to a swimmer,
on a case by case basis, by the chair of the Rules Committee or designee.
Exemptions will be granted only for conflicts due to the swimmer’s
verified religious beliefs or verified medical conditions.
(1) Procedures for applying for an exemption will be established by
the Rules Committee and posted on the U.S. Masters Swimming
website.
(2) No exemption to these restrictions will be granted for a swimsuit
that will give the swimmer a competitive advantage.
(3) The decision of the Rules Committee chair may be appealed only
to the entire Rules Committee, whose decision shall be final and
binding on all parties.
E No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or substance to
enhance speed, pace, buoyancy or endurance during a race (such as
webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.). Goggles may be worn, and rubdown
oil applied if not considered excessive by the referee. Any kind of tape
on the body is not permitted unless approved by the referee.
