Some Aging Competitors Call High-Tech Swimsuits Dirty Pool

I guess that's an argument, but not very compelling. To complete the hijacking, I think we'll just need Fort and Gull to join the conversation.... I just wanted to observe that I think it did ultimately come down to cost and availability for many people. I'm not talking about cost or availability at the world class level (where they could all get them (other than poor Mr. Phelps)) or at the Masters level (where those that want them can generally afford them). I'm talking about all levels below the world class level in the "elite" system (college, age group, national, etc.). Coaches (college coaches with budget constraints in particular) and parents simply did not want to pay $400 for a suit in the first place, and sure didn't love the idea that such a suit would become technologically obsolete in less than a year, forcing them to plunk down yet another $400 for the next model (also likely to become obsolete). I'm no fan of the cost/availability argument myself, but I do think it was a compelling one for many people and wouldn't be surprised if it was the biggest reason that the suits got banned. If tech suits cost $80-$100 they would likely still be legal. When the cost of the technology behind the suits comes down to that level, I won't be surprise (though saddened) to see the tech suits make a comeback.

I guess that's an argument, but not very compelling. To complete the hijacking, I think we'll just need Fort and Gull to join the conversation.... I just wanted to observe that I think it did ultimately come down to cost and availability for many people. I'm not talking about cost or availability at the world class level (where they could all get them (other than poor Mr. Phelps)) or at the Masters level (where those that want them can generally afford them). I'm talking about all levels below the world class level in the "elite" system (college, age group, national, etc.). Coaches (college coaches with budget constraints in particular) and parents simply did not want to pay $400 for a suit in the first place, and sure didn't love the idea that such a suit would become technologically obsolete in less than a year, forcing them to plunk down yet another $400 for the next model (also likely to become obsolete). I'm no fan of the cost/availability argument myself, but I do think it was a compelling one for many people and wouldn't be surprised if it was the biggest reason that the suits got banned. If tech suits cost $80-$100 they would likely still be legal. When the cost of the technology behind the suits comes down to that level, I won't be surprise (though saddened) to see the tech suits make a comeback.