Japan to ratify Ryosuke Irie's world record - will allow those suits unapproved by FINA in domestic competitions!

From Swimming World:

TOKYO, Japan, May 24. THE Japanese Swimming Federation held a press conference yesterday to confirm that the Federation will ratify Ryosuke Irie's world record as a Japanese record even if FINA does not recognize it.

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"...Furthermore, the Federation stated that it WILL allow swimmers to race in non-approved suits in domestic competition until March 31, 2010...."

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FINA so screwed this up! How can FINA, with any moral authority, withdraw suit approvals just because they saw a "burning bush" on the way to Lausanne, Switzerland, that told them to reverse course?

Well, the Japanese and the Italians have seen a "burning bush" too.

Perhaps the manufacturers will see one too that tells them to sort it out in court?

Coach John Leonard of the ASCA predicted as much on March 4th 2009. You can read his article: What’s Up With The Suits? at the American Swimming Coaches Association site. (Scroll down to the appropriate date to find it.)

Coach John Leonard also has a seat on the Coaches Commission at FINA.

Japanese Swimming Federation may accept Ryosuke Irie's 200-back WR despite FINA objection!

This is perhaps the biggest story of the year: The "speedsuit war" is escalating: The first shot fired was back in the Spring of 2008 when TYR filed an antitrust lawsuit in federal court against USA Swimming, Coach Mark Schubert, and Speedo.

Now the second salvo: The Japanese Swimming Federation may acknowledge Ryosuke Irie world record in the 200-back despite FINA refusal to accept it due to the swimsuit he wore was not FINA approved.

Could the French do the same with Alain Bernard's world record in the 100-free?

From Swimming World: "..."Even if Irie's world record would not be ratified by FINA, the Japanese Federation will not omit it from the Japanese record book," Japanese Swimming Federation Executive Director Masafumi Izumi said. "The position of the Japanese Federation is different from FINA. Although there are discrepancies, and we are in confusion. The Japanese Federation will have to distinguish FINA's standard and our own standard in the ratification process...."

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What a mess! This is a "shot across the proverbial bow" of FINA's governing authority. That is to say, if Irie's world record is validated by the Japanese Federation, then his suit is validated as well.

I admit that all of the above is hyperbole but FINA is in trouble and it needs help and guidance.

My suggestion is that all swimsuits that have ever been approved by FINA be placed back on the approved swimsuit list till FINA can produce an engineering standard that is based on quantifiable data rather than theoretical opinions.

Ryosuke Irie's World Record in the mens' Men's 200m Backstroke!

Poor guy, for the suit was legal at the time of the swim too, wasn't it?