Swimming: Nothing wrong with LZR Racer swimsuit, insists FINA
Posted: 07 April 2008 2311 hrs

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PARIS : Olympic swimming records are set to tumble in Beijing this summer after the International Swimming Ferderation (FINA) insisted there is no evidence Speedo's LZR Racer suit gives swimmers an unfair advantage.

Since the ultra-streamlined LZR Racer Suit was launched in February, 18 of the 19 world records broken have gone to athletes wearing the state-of-the-art suit, but FINA insist it does not give swimmers an extra advantage.

Both the Italian and Canadian swimming federations banned their athletes from wearing the suit during their separate recent Olympic trials.

"FINA is always willing to examine issues in connection with the swimsuit approval," the governing body said in an official statement.

"However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no objective scientific evidence on the alleged buoyancy advantage provided by the Speedo LZR Racer or any other swimsuit approved by FINA.

"We underline that at FINA competitions, the rule GR 5.6 - 'the manufacturers must ensure that the approved new swimsuit will be available for all competitors' - will apply."

With American Michael Phelps, who picked up eight gold medals at the Athens Olympics, and the Australian swimming team set to wear the LZR Racer in Beijing, records look set to tumble.

FINA will meet with manufacturers on April 12 at this weekend's Short-Course World Swimming Championships in Manchester, England, to discuss the issue.

The meeting has been called by FINA to "review and update, if considered necessary, the procedure and requirements for swimwear approval". - AFP/de