In this case I think "best interests" are defined as (a) what is going to get most people to compete, and increase their satisfaction in it and (b) what is good for the sport (for want of a better phrase). There is a popularity component in the first but not the second.
The suits were good for the sport, in terms of popular culture. Rowdy is right about the correlation between the suit controversy and the increased media exposure for the sport of swimming. If we collectively tried to buy that kind of media exposure the total cost would be significantly larger then the entire niche swimsuit market!
In this case I think "best interests" are defined as (a) what is going to get most people to compete, and increase their satisfaction in it and (b) what is good for the sport (for want of a better phrase). There is a popularity component in the first but not the second.
The suits were good for the sport, in terms of popular culture. Rowdy is right about the correlation between the suit controversy and the increased media exposure for the sport of swimming. If we collectively tried to buy that kind of media exposure the total cost would be significantly larger then the entire niche swimsuit market!
