There looks to be no end in sight for world records in the pool after the International Swimming Federation (FINA) ruled that it won’t ban Speedo’s new high-tech LZR Racer suit.
The LZR has been worn for 18 of the 19 world records set since it was introduced in February. The swimsuit has come under criticism for claims of buoyancy, but FINA thinks otherwise.
“There is no scientific proof that it helps somehow, to the best of FINA’s knowledge,” FINA told reporters on Tuesday.
PHOTO :AFP
FINA is set to meet with swimsuit manufacturers at the short-course world championships this weekend in Manchester. Other companies are due to come out soon with suits to compete with the LZR.
“The meeting on Saturday is not because of this, it was already scheduled before. It’s a coincidence that FINA will be meeting with all the manufacturers — Speedo, Arena, Diana, Nike, Adidas,” FINA said. “They are going to revise the procedure for approval of swimsuits.”
FINA said the present approval system is “very rigorous” and that the LZR passed a series of tests.
Italy head coach Alberto Castagnetti is one of the leading opponents of the new suits, which were banned at the Italian championships last week.
“This is going down a very dangerous road,” Castagnetti said.
“It removes the purely competitive aspect of the sport and puts outside factors into play. Swimming has always been based on ability. Now, there are other aspects. It’s like technological doping. It’s not in the spirit of the sport,” he said.
The one world record set by a swimmer not wearing the LZR since mid-February was from Federica Pellegrini of Italy in the 400m freestyle at the European championships last month.
“It would be one thing if it was Michael Phelps setting all these records, but a lot of them have come from fifth and sixth-ranked swimmers,” Castagnetti said.
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