Should the New Advanced Swimming Costumes (Like the Diana Submarine & Speedo Fastskin) Be Allowed?

Everything advances with technology. Formula 1Championships in July in Rome.
develops speed and reduces drag throughSpeedo's LZR Racer will probably be approved for
aerodynamics for cars. Likewise technology hascompetition this season - call me a cynic but they
come to competition swimwear. Through studyingdo largely fund FINA, whilst other suits known
swimmers and using fluid dynamics newmore for buoyancy, might face restrictions.
swimwear such as the LZR Racer Suit, FastskinThe most significant element of the proposal is a
and Diana Submarine have led to quicker swimban on wearing more than one technical suit at a
times for all sorts of strokes. Sharks have beentime. Athletes have reportedly been wearing two
studied as have submarines to look at the flow ofor even three suits simultaneously to take
water over the body and different materials.advantage of, say, the sleekness of one and the
Some other suits incorporate buoyancy elementsbuoyancy of another.
which make the swimmer higher in the water.It looks like there will be specific guidelines for all
This has led to reduced drag coefficients by up toperformance swimwear manufacturers January
4%. However, there are some people that argue2010 after thorough tests into bouyancy and drag
that these types of suits should not be allowed.are closely studied by independent authorities.
The situation has been raised with FINA (WorldThey will make recommendations as to at the
Swimming Body) potentially having more strictallowable coverage of the body. My guess is that
design standards before the World Swimmingthe LZR suit will sort of act as the benchmark.