Fina cracks down on hi-tech suits

Dolphin, I believe the limitations FINA has put in place generally make sense. There will still be plenty of world records broken in the future because there is a lot more to breaking records than just the suits. Several world records were broken last summer by swimmers not wearing full tech suits (Lochte, Phelps wore just legskins) so they are not a requirement to break a world record. The world does not stay static in any sport so why such the fuss? "Mechanization", really? Are you secretly Janet Evans and just pissed that you lost your world records and this is your form of therapy? If so, I somewhat understand and I hope you eventually get over it although I think your world records would have been broken by the current group of swimmers with or without the tech suits. Tim Hi Tim L What I mean by "mechanization" is the use of personally applied parts to the human body which compensate for some variable that contributes to the lack of swimming ability. Humans are land creatures -not aquatic or amphibious animals- and humans are basically not biologically designed to swim. Therefore the lack of the ability of humans to swim is subject to many variables which can easily be mitigated through mechanical augmentation instead of using purely biological adaptive techniques. So called "tech suits" are the purported solution to the variable of form and surface drag and FINA seems to think that's OK. However the lack of efficient propulsion is probably at the top of the list of problems in enabling humans to swim faster and this can be easily overcome by mechanization such as paddles or flippers. However, unlike golf, tennis, or baseball, the mechanization of a what is biologically a non-mechanical human athletic endeavor does not constitute an advancement of the sport. In the past, FINA has maintained a policy which is to minimize the effects of mechanization and in particular minimizing the role of suits. So my question continues to be this: If FINA is becoming lenient in the use of one form of mechanization such as tech suits, why not allow the use of paddles, flippers, and other aquatic adaptive devices as well? Dolphin 2

I think that they must draw a line somewhere.

Hey gobear I don't have to be an "expert" in evolutionary biology to know that in the scientifically recorded history of human existence (at least 20,000 years or even more), people were never biologically designed by nature as aquatic or amphibious creatures. The proof is quite obvious: Try to stay under water for an indefinite period of time -or for at least 10 minutes. Or just dive into the fish tank at Marine World and see who survives for months or years. By the way, the only part of present human evolution where competitive swimming is an inbred instinct is the sperm racing to be the first one to get to the egg. :bolt: Dolphin 2

I'm sure many of you saw this: Therese Alshammar Claims Sexism in One Suit Rule After Losing World Record to Disqualification where Alshammar remarks, "I would almost claim that's a bit sexist saying that the men can cover their private parts up with briefs and women can only also wear briefs." I thought that briefs were NOT allowed under the suit. Or is that wrong?

I thought it was one suit. Period. I'd rather cover my top than my bottom! Why would "chicks" want to wear a brief? If you think your suit might rip bring a towel! BTW, will there be an asterisk in the results denoting "suit malfunction"?

USA Swimming issued a clarification to its original interpretation issued last week, which might touch on your question above Karen. On March 18, 2009, an interpretation of Article 102.9 was issued which stated that the use of more than one swimsuit during competition is prohibited. Based upon the significant number of questions I have received since issuing the interpretation, it has become apparent there is a great deal of confusion about the intent and purpose of the restriction. The following is meant to clarify the intent of the interpretation and the manner in which it should be enforced. The interpretation by USA Swimming was issued as the result of an interpretation by FINA that the use of more than one swimsuit at a time during competition is not allowable. USA Swimming is required to conform to the technical rules and related interpretations of FINA and the interpretation was issued in order to comply with that requirement. FINA’s interpretation was issued primarily as a result of swimmers who were wearing highly “technical” suits that provided both compression and buoyancy and was considered to provide an unfair competitive advantage. It should be noted that the NCAA has previously determined that the use of two suits is not allowable. The following points are all important in understanding the applicability of the restriction to only allow one swimsuit at a time during competition: The restriction applies only to actual competition (i.e. a race). Swimmers may wear more than one suit during warm-up and warm-down as well as around the pool deck between their actual races. Swimmers may use as many different suits as they desire during any particular swim meet or any particular day during a swim meet and may change those suits as often as they desire as long as they do not wear more than one swimsuit at a time during their actual competitive events (races). The restriction applies to all types, models and makes of swimsuits, not just so-called “technical” suits. Wearing a second suit during a race as a “drag” is therefore prohibited. The restriction was not intended to apply to athletic supporters or modesty type wear. For purposes of the one swimsuit restriction, one (1) swimsuit may include the wearing of a single pair of “briefs” or “bikini bottoms” to ensure the modesty and privacy of swimmer. A swimmer who does wear more than one swimsuit during competition (a race) will be subject to disqualification. Officials, especially referees, need to be very proactive in educating swimmers and coaches about the restriction. This should, at a very minimum, include announcements at the coaches/general meeting. Especially during the initial implementation of this new restriction, swimmers should be given every opportunity and/or a reasonable amount of time to remove a second suit prior to the start of a race. If officials are doing their job correctly, a swimmer should never be disqualified for wearing two suits at one time during a competition. Except in very unusual circumstances, and especially during the initial implementation of this, a referee should never allow a race to start if they know a swimmer is wearing two suits without warning them of such and, within reason, giving them time to remove the additional suit. A great deal of common sense must to be exercised by swimmers, coaches and officials alike. Officials, particularly referees, are likely going to be put in difficult and uncomfortable situations in trying to apply this restriction. Everyone’s recognition of these difficulties will result in keeping the best interests of the athletes uppermost in our minds and, at the same time, recognizing the need for the athletes’ adherence to our rules. The above is intended to provide information, clarification and guidance regarding the restriction of wearing only one suit at a time during a competitive event. If you need additional information, please contact me at the e-mail address shown above. Patrick King

Has anyone ever seen a suit fail in the chest, though?

I read into this that a small speedo can be worn under a tech suit by men or women

Say you want to take the top down (as men often do) to keep the straps from digging into your shoulders while you wait for your next race, but you don't want the (literal) PITA of taking the whole suit off. Say it's one of those nearly transparent silver-and-gray FSIIs. Say it's a front-zip. I haven't done it, but I can see why a one-piece "modesty" suit might not be modest enough for some women.

Has anyone ever seen a suit fail in the chest, though? Pay attention to how many girls are pulling on the sides of their suits when they finish. I believe even Katie Hoff was seen tucking in the side boob at Trials last year. In the case of Alshammer, I thinkshe was saying she wears a unisex suit, which cuts in kind of close at the top. So yeah, there is a lot of reason to want a top, if that kind of thing bugs you.