The relevant FINA rule is:
SW 10.8 No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, power bands, or adhesive substances, etc.). Goggles may be worn. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by FINA Sport Medicine Committee.
I don't know of cases where an elite swimmer has been granted approval to race taped at a international meet by the FINA Sport Medicine Committee, but the provision in the rules is there. Our Australian championship meets state that they apply SW 10.8 in a modified form for practicality reasons (basically, the referee usually approves taping if a swimmer provides a medical/physio letter saying it is needed). There are also situations like this.
The relevant FINA rule is:
SW 10.8 No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, power bands, or adhesive substances, etc.). Goggles may be worn. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by FINA Sport Medicine Committee.
I don't know of cases where an elite swimmer has been granted approval to race taped at a international meet by the FINA Sport Medicine Committee, but the provision in the rules is there. Our Australian championship meets state that they apply SW 10.8 in a modified form for practicality reasons (basically, the referee usually approves taping if a swimmer provides a medical/physio letter saying it is needed). There are also situations like this.
