Controversial suits to be banned

The World Championships in Rome will be the final major international meet to witness the farcical effect of the performance-enhancing suits after FINA confirmed there would be a return to textile swimwear from 2010.

The FINA congress last week voted for the return and the bureau today fully backed their decision on that ruling and what part of the body it will cover.

This means: 'For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knee.

'Furthermore, no zippers or other fastening system is allowed.'

However, it will not be implemented until April or May next year rather than January 1 as previously planned to allow the manufacturers time to make the transition.

The definition of textile will be made by a group of scientific experts chosen by FINA and led by Professor Jan-Anders Manson, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.

There will be uniform permeability, no modification for individual swimmers who will - as now - only be able to wear one suit with no taping allowed.

Thickness and buoyancy are also to be reduced.

FINA's announcement comes during a meet where 15 world records have been set in just three days of an eight-day competition at the Foro Italico.

At least 150 world records have been lowered since February 2008 when Speedo launched the LZR Racer which revolutionised the sport.

However, they found their 50% polyurethane suit overtaken by the 100% polyurethane wear with Gemma Spofforth of Britain the only Speedo-clad individual winner so far.

Speedo issued a statement, which read: 'The recent introduction of 100% non-permeable buoyant wetsuits and their impact on performance has cast a shadow over the sport.

'This has put swimmers in a very compromising position, leading to FINA's decision today to ban the use of non-permeable fabrics in performance swimsuits from 2010.

'Their decision today is not unexpected as a means of calling a halt to the confusion and controversy that has been created as a result of the introduction by some manufacturers of fully non-permeable wetsuits for the 13th FINA World Championships, 2009.

'Speedo has never sought to compromise the integrity of the sport and has never created a buoyant suit. Speedo believes a return to textile-only bodysuits as per the Melbourne World Championships would have dealt with the issue.

'Speedo remains committed to growing the sport of swimming at every level.'