Speedo LZR using banned materials and methods?

Is there an actual list of what is allowed and what isn't? I don't recall anything in the rule book about double layers or neoprene (and I'm too lazy to go check at the moment!). We've had this kind of discussion before, but let's dig up the rule anyway: GR 5.5 Before any swimsuit of new design, construction or material is used in competition, the manufacturer of such swimsuit must submit the swimwear to FINA and obtain approval of FINA. FINA has addended rule GR 5.5 with its Requirements for Swimwear Approval. In addition to guidelines on decency, surface coverage, and composition (number of pieces), there are material requirements: Material • Health. The material used shall not put the health of the athletes at stake. Regular flat fabrics and exclusion of outside applications: the fabrics used shall be regular and shall not form outstanding shapes or structures, such as scales. No outside application shall be added on the fabrics (use of different fabrics, see below). For the avoidance of doubt, impregnation is not subject to limitation and paint can be used for motives in regular and usual thickness. It is further clarified that: the application of fabrics put on top of each other as a result of a manufacturing/application process to combine the fabrics is permitted provided that this remains in the usual thickness and does not create outstanding shape(s) or structure(s). • Variety of fabrics: Different fabrics can be used in one swimsuit. • Colours: for the avoidance of doubt, colours shall not be considered as part of the design for the purpose of these provisions My feeling is that this would be where the dual layer accusation is. As for the neoprene requirement, we look towards SW 10.7: SW 10.7 No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device that may aid his speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.). Goggles may be worn. Because neoprene is a buoyant material, its use in a swimsuit makes the suit run afoul of SW 10.7, and would probably not be approved per GR 5.5. One of USA Swimming's interpretations of its rules in 1999, which are intended to conform to FINA rules, noted that "neoprene or other buoyant material ... not permissible." So getting back to Lindsay's point about whether there is a "list" of prohibited and allowed substances--I can't find one. As long as a substance does not aid "speed, buoyancy or endurance" and conforms with the swimsuit rules in GR 5.5, it's fair game. The intent of the rule is to leave this determination an open-ended one, so that FINA has the flexibility to handle whatever is coming out of the laboratories in 5, 10, 15, or 30 years. Patrick King

I went to get measured for my new swim suit, it is even gives you faster times then the LZR. See picture below. You meant this as a joke, but look at the video from the Today Show: swimming.about.com/.../offsite.htm Ryan Lochte says that "putting on the suit makes you feel like a superhero." The show is essentially an ad for Speedo (and I'll state it again: the best PR dept in the world). I actually winced when Dara Torres said that the LZRs were available for pre-order from speedousa.com.

simsport.se is swedish not italian...so I can help. here is a rough translation of the report on simsport.se "we have gotten fresh news from La Gazzetta Della Sport that shows the new suit LZR Racer from Speedo contains material that can not be used in suits. the article shows that the design of the suits uses double layers, which is not allowed. DIANA tried to use it in 1974 but was denied by FINA. The suit also contains neoprene, whish is not allowed. the question now is what will FINA do. Should they allow all suit makers the use of this design, or ban the Speedo LZR Racer?. the 12 of April there is a meeting about that question. Many swimsuit manufactures are upset over why speedo got permission to make a suit like that and what answers from FINA."

The only thing I could check myself was that the article wasn´t from April 1st :) April Fools Day isn't a global phenomenon. Many countries/regions have a variant of it, but on different days. Just an fyi...

Well, we don't really know what the suit is made of or whether materials and construction methods are outside FINA guidelines or to what degree FINA was informed or consulted during creation of the suit. At least I don't know. I have seen U.S. article that said "LCR" suit was "co-developed" by NASA. So I am inclined to wait and see what comes out of FINA's investigation. Regards, VB

I went to get measured for my new swim suit, it is even gives you faster times then the LZR. See picture below.

If the suit floats it should be illegal.

It's a big mess: - too late for the others swimsuit manufactures to develop new swimsuit in time for beijing. - too much $$$$ on stakes for Speedo to accept a ban from FINA just now, even more with Speedo that claim that FINA was informed about the project when it was in making and officially approved it before his public release. FINA will get a lot of "heat" for this, ARENA and ADIDAS are big players, ADIDAS a lot of bigger that Speedo, they'll not accept to look like fools. A legal battle IMHO will be inevitable if the suit is not banned at least for Beijing.

I actually winced when Dara Torres said that the LZRs were available for pre-order from speedousa.com. We will all be assimilated. Thanks for the link.

I can't help myself here. LZR sounds too much like LZ-boy and makes me think of recliners. Bad choice of letters, even if they are supposed to sound like laser or something.