Peirsol applauds exit of high-tech swim suits
By Rob Harris
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated: 12:43 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009
Published: 6:52 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009
Aaron Peirsol joined the swimmers who broke world records in high-tech bodysuits that revolutionized the sport. Now, with the suits outlawed beginning Jan. 1, Peirsol said he looks forward to competing on a level playing field.
"We want an even playing field," said Peirsol, a former Texas Longhorn All-American. "When the suits go, the sport will have a tremendous amount of integrity. We're going back to the way things were, which isn't always a bad thing."
More than 250 world records have been set since early 2008, when Speedo's LZR set the standard for water-resistant outfits that increase buoyancy.
Peirsol ended the year with world marks in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke events, and he broke the 400 medley relay record with the U.S. team at the world championships in Rome.
"Those records were done legitimately at the time," the 26-year-old Peirsol said. "It was never the swimmers' fault they were wearing those suits. They were just doing what was allowed for them to do.
"The suits are beautiful things and, whether you like it or not, they do make you swim faster. We were talking about maybe wearing them in practice, just to wear them just to go fast again. They are fun and they added another dynamic to the sport that was never there before. Not everyone hated them."
With the return of knee-length and other textile suits, though, swimming will become less a battle of technology.
That doesn't mean world records should be scrapped or noted in the record books, Peirsol said, because suits had been on an accelerated development for a decade.
"If you try to pick a date, you run into snags," he said.
After describing 2009 as one of the "best years of my career" — despite his failing to qualify for the 100 backstroke final at the world championships — Peirsol is less certain about what can be achieved next year, when he dons the Arena R-Evo for the first time.
"I think I can get close (to breaking records), but I really don't know," he said. "Some records will be tough to beat for a lot of people, I think. Some people were affected more by the suits than others. There really is no telling until this year comes through.
"But the level of racing won't go anywhere, and I think the sport will surprise itself and some of those records will go down. Maybe not this year, but soon. Things are going to be changing for the sport, which makes this interesting."
Peirsol's last competition in the polyurethane suit was at the short-course Duel in the Pool last weekend in Manchester.
The U.S. team beat the European all-stars, but Peirsol failed to win a race.
The trip allowed Peirsol to see England for the first time as he prepares for the 2012 Olympics in London. Defending the 100 backstroke title and improving on his silver in the 200 back is his priority, but he also hopes to qualify for freestyle and butterfly events.
Peirsol concluded his trip to Manchester by addressing a group of children swimmers at a pool on the outskirts of the snow-covered city.
Being in the spotlight doesn't sit comfortably for the laid-back Californian.
"We don't swim for the attention. We don't swim to be rock stars," he said. "There is something beautiful about being in an anonymous sport and being fairly anonymous. It enables you do something you love without any of the other effects."
Peirsol cited the fallout from golfer Tiger Woods' high-profile fall from grace.
"I never looked at him as a moral authority, but we do have a responsibility being in the public eye," Peirsol said as young autograph hunters loitered in a room overlooking the pool.
"And kids do look up to you in that regard."
