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

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