They didn't exactly say it that way but according to Swim News, Swimming Australia Limited is making these suggestions to FINA in February:"Men's swimwear shall be limited to one swimsuit that covers, at most, the body surface from hips to knee. Swimwear must not extend above the waist or below the knees [Read as jammers only]If the USMS is force to agree with these standards, I would own over $500 worth of suits that I couldn't wear to a meet. I am sure that there are other swimmers, who have way more money invested than I do.
Women's swimwear shall be limited to one swimsuit that is of "open back" and "open shoulder" designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimwear must not extend below the knees. [Read as a short-john with no zipper]
General: Swimwear must not have a zipper or any type of fastening system. All swimwear worn by competitors in Age Group Events (18 and under) conducted in Australia by SAL shall be commercially available products ..."
[Link]
These three stories this year have placed our sport on "pop-culture's radar!" they include!
- Speedsuits (NASA said it was their biggest story)
- Michael Phelps (Sports Illustrated has magazines and books about him)
- Dara Torres (Masters swimming has never been bigger I bet?)
Here are some rhetorical question for "suit burners:"
- Did helmets, face masks and/or shoulder pads make American football less exciting or less pure of a sport?
- Has the swimming population decreased this year as a result of speedsuits or has it increased?
- Will there be more swimming related investment if speedsuits are banished?
