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Swimmers get definition of legal suits
Posted: Friday July 07, 2000 10:12 AM
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AP) -- Nothing below the knees. Nothing covering the arms. Those are the limits from USA Swimming concerning high-tech bodysuits at next month's Olympic trials in Indianapolis. The full-length suits were banned June 22 by the group's board of directors, which was concerned that not everyone at the trials would have access to the latest attire. But, since variations of the bodysuit have been worn for several years, a steering committee this week came up with the definition of what suits will be allowed in Indianapolis, when more than 1,300 swimmers are expected to compete for spots on the U.S. Olympic team. The committee banned from the Aug. 9-16 trials any suit that extends below the knees or covers any part of the arms. The full bodysuit is allowed in all other competitions, including the Sydney Games in September. "The definition developed by the steering committee clarifies to our athletes what suit styles will be allowed at trials, which includes use of the suit styles which have been widely available and used in a variety of competitions for at least two years," said Chuck Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming. Bodysuits have revolutionized the sport in recent months. Ian Thorpe of Australia, Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands and American Tom Malchow have worn some form of the attire to set world records. FINA, the world governing body of swimming, ruled in November that the newest form of the suits, made of a fabric known as "Fastskin," do not aid speed, buoyancy or endurance and could be worn at international meets. But manufacturers have struggled to keep up with demand for the increasingly popular suits.
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