Take a look at the press release posted on swiminfo.com: www.swiminfo.com/.../6949.asp
Here's a quote that bothers me:
By strategically increasing the surface area, TYR has increased his/her ability to pull without increasing any resistance through the recovery. Just think of it as ascending an aquatic ladder.
Should these be allowed? I would guess that they are o.k. as far as current rules read, but I don't like it. I think these sleeves amount to an aid, sort of like wearing paddles. I guess the question is: what constitutes a swimsuit? Obviously caps are o.k., so you can't argue that it must be one piece.
Without being technical because I'm not qualified to be technical, my point is that all sports and sporting equipment evolve. There will always be those that say they are purists and advances ruin the sport. But, to your point, purists might think nude swimming is the only way.
Today's elite athletes with their new fangled garb and gadgets would still whoop the elite from 50 years ago (with the exception of basketball, possibly). Training is better, nutrition is better, facilities are better, etc, etc.
I don't make the call on legal versus illegal. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me. If it's legal, make sure everyone has access to it. If illegal, then no one has it. The best athletes in the best gear is exciting to me. NOTE: this does not include doping, I'm moderately opposed to that.
What more annoys me than equipment advances are the changes in strokes since I swam as a kid, especially changes in backstroke and breastroke. But, I will keep attempting to unlearn what I did as a kid and be competitive as an old man.
Without being technical because I'm not qualified to be technical, my point is that all sports and sporting equipment evolve. There will always be those that say they are purists and advances ruin the sport. But, to your point, purists might think nude swimming is the only way.
Today's elite athletes with their new fangled garb and gadgets would still whoop the elite from 50 years ago (with the exception of basketball, possibly). Training is better, nutrition is better, facilities are better, etc, etc.
I don't make the call on legal versus illegal. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me. If it's legal, make sure everyone has access to it. If illegal, then no one has it. The best athletes in the best gear is exciting to me. NOTE: this does not include doping, I'm moderately opposed to that.
What more annoys me than equipment advances are the changes in strokes since I swam as a kid, especially changes in backstroke and breastroke. But, I will keep attempting to unlearn what I did as a kid and be competitive as an old man.
