If the Suit Fits
February 27th, 2009 - byThis week, in an effort to restore some integrity back to the sport of swimming, officials from FINA (Federation International Natation) met to discuss rules and regulations regarding the new high- tech swimsuits.
These state-of-the-art suits have been under controversy since the LZR suit was unveiled by Speedo in 2008. The suits, which sell for anywhere between $350-$550, were designed using ultrasonically bonded seams that fit a swimmer like a true “second skin.” They are fitted with low-drag panels embedded within the fabric – something developed in conjunction with NASA scientists. However, the suits have also come with an enormous level of controversy.
One big argument is that they offer potentially illegal levels of buoyancy (due to a mix of polyurethane layers). Another area of concern came right before the Summer Olympics in 2008 when rival companies of Speedo were unable to get their suits approved in time to be worn by Olympic athletes. In addition, it appeared as though Speedo conspired with the U.S. Olympic Swim Team to make it mandatory for all their athletes to wear their suits. Are the suits really giving swimmers such an enormous advantage? It sure appears that way. In 2008, 108 world records were broken. Of those 108 swimmers, 79 were wearing the LZR suit.
It has become the hottest topic in competitive swimming and as Georgia Tech Men’s Swimmer Mickey Malul said, “If you don’t have the suits, you are at a disadvantage.”
So, after meeting with 16 of the world’s leading swim suit manufacturers, FINA will take the next month to determine what regulations need to be in place in order to calm a lot of these waves in the swimming community.
But what will be best for the sport of swimming? Ban the suits and restore the purity of the sport? Give them the “Ok” and watch as the sport dives into new and uncharted waters of more and more shattered records?
