Lane 9 News Archive: Two More Arguments Against the New Suits

Two More Arguments Against the New Suits -- May 4, 2009

Guest editorial by John Craig

PHOENIX, Arizona, May 4. THE discussion of late about the new suits has pretty much drowned out everything else, even news of new world records, which is sad.

We've all heard the arguments, pro and con. The pro argument basically boils down to, you can't stand in the way of progress. Proponents of the new suits seem to suggest that the nays are Luddites who want to turn the clock back to the days of wool suits, no lane lines, and no goggles. There is also one particularly lame argument, which gets repeated over and over: hey, I threw the suit in the water and it didn't swim by itself. This same argument might be made for steroids: hey, I put the vial of steroids in the pool and it didn't swim by itself. But, people wouldn't use these things if they didn't help.

Of course, I'm not suggesting those who use the new suits are on a par with those who took steroids: the suits are legal and steroids are not. There's nothing wrong with the swimmers who've set records using the new suits, they're just playing the game that FINA has essentially forced on them. The question is: "Should the suits be legal?"

The main arguments against are that they're an artificial aid, they've made a mockery of the record book, they're expensive, and they create an uneven playing field.

There are two more arguments I'd like to make against the new suits.

I recently competed in one for the first time (I won't mention the particular brand, because it is not important; the complaint I have is generic.) The suit I wore was tight, constrictive, and it made the entire swimming meet a somewhat unpleasant experience.

Meets are supposed to be fun affairs, the payoff for all the hard training we do. But the entire time I was wearing it, I felt a little as if a (somewhat weak) boa constrictor were trying to slowly squeeze the life out of me. I could never get completely dry in between events. And, when I tried to loosen up in the warm-down pool after my events, I never felt really loose, since the suit was too constrictive. (I know, no one forced me to wear the suit, but if I hadn't, I would have been at a disadvantage to my competition.)

You've undoubtedly heard about those unfortunate women in the 19th century who had to wear corsets. Maybe you've even seen pictures of women having their corsets tightened by their ladies in waiting. I remember thinking, upon first seeing such pictures, what a miserable way to spend time. (I think the Guinness Book of World Records one year featured a picture of a woman with a 16-inch waist achieved through constriction.) Well, we're now their spiritual cousins.

Think of all the videos you've seen of record setters this year. What is the first thing they do upon climbing out of the pool? They get someone to unzip them, then they immediately pull their tops down. (Female swimmers don't even get to do that.) I couldn't wait to get out of mine. And, I was actually wearing one which was a size larger than had been recommended for me. This is not even to mention the dehydrating effect of being in a tight rubberized suit for hours. Sure, it's fun to do faster times. But times are relative, and if no one were wearing the suits, you could do times that are just as fast – relative to your competition.

Going to the bathroom in one of the new suits is a major undertaking. I pretty much had to forego the last-minute trip to the urinal before my event, a meet tradition for any swimmer who makes the effort to stay hydrated.

I accomplished my goals at the meet, so I should have been happy. And I was -- especially when I got out of the suit. The best analogy I can think of is being given good news while you have a toothache: it's hard to fully appreciate and enjoy the good news.

Sports are supposed to be fun. If they're not, why do them? So my first argument is, anything that makes swimming unpleasant is in the long run going to drive away swimmers, and we don't want to do that.

One of the main benefits of swimming is that if you do it right, and perhaps combine it with a modicum of dry land training, it makes you look like a Greek god. I've always been proud of the build that swimming has given me -- and mine is nothing special by swimming standards. The phrase "swimmer's build" has always had a nice ring to it, particularly to us swimmers. And one of the attractions – and inspirations -- of big time swimming meets has always been all the people milling around who look as if they just stepped down from Mount Olympus.

So here's my second argument: why hide all that magnificence? If most big meets – and all televised competitions – feature swimmers who all look like tightly encased sausages, some of the sex appeal of the sport disappears. Would the original Tarzan movies have been hits if Johnny Weissmuller had played him dressed up in a rubber suit? Would Michael Phelps have been as big a hit with the ladies last summer if he had worn the full bodysuit for his fly and IM events? I doubt it.

The prohibitive expense of the suits, their short lifespan, the uneven playing field they create, and the fact that they go against the spirit of the original rules against artificial aids in swimming are the best arguments against the new suits. But, the two reasons just mentioned are also factors.

Let's bring back the (wholesome) sex appeal of swimming. And, let's make meets enjoyable again.

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May 6, 2009 I just want to thank John for this perspective. Really -- everyone is so caught up in financial costs and what the suits mean for the record books that the impact on the sheer joy of the sport is barely getting mentioned at all. I mean, if it's now to the point that you torture yourself with what you're wearing at a typical weekend meet that in the long run is meaningless...

Doesn't sound like a good way to bring new people into the sport!
Submitted by: Charlie

May 6, 2009 It sounds like you kept the suit on for the whole meet. I know a lot of people do that with the "traditional" ones but with the new ones...

I put mine on 30min before the race as part of my warm up routine and take it of immediately after my race is over. The new fabric, if you can call it that,drys extremely fast. I wrap it in a towel right away and by the time I am done warming down the suit is dry.

I believe that wearing the suit the whole time decreases its already short life span dramatically,it stretches out, rough surfaces damage the material, etc.
Submitted by:

May 9, 2009 John, why don't we all go back to the 70's and watch only that tv series, "Walton's". That is what you're advocating, the past is better than the present. Life moves on and quit crying about it.
Submitted by: speedboat1990

May 9, 2009 Well said John, entirely agree with what you say!
The suits make you faster but also as well as spoiling the enjoyment distract from excellent performances. See all the comments both pro and con. Since there is so much distraction i.e. comments on suits with regard to performance this is surely not a good thing.
If we look back at the duels of Jager, Biondi, Popov etc the times, the performance and the result were reported and there was no distraction. With the current suits they make you faster but create a situation where performances are UNDERVALUED as a result. Is this what we really want? Is this PROGRESS? I don't think so.
Wishing for a situation where the results are not questioned, suits are not mentioned and the athlete is credited with the performance is not Luddite thinking.
Are the athletes setting these fast times happy to continually have their results queried and the performance credited to the suit?? Surely they would be happier if the suit issue was not distracting from their efforts? Of course if the suit is in fact the crutch needed for them to perform at this level then probably not. However, the real performer would wish his or her performance to be the issue not the suits.
The arguments of some that they could swim as fast in other suits and that the suit is not performance enhancing is laughable! Spend all that money, time putting it on etc and then say it is not the suit? Why do it then? Must be something wrong somewhere? Either they are stupid or they think the listening audience is stupid! Which? Both?
Comparisons with Formula 1 motor racing? Ridiculous! A sport that almost entirely relies on technology to achieve the results is not valid comparison. Results achieved and based on the most reliable or unreliable equipment with often the best driver out of the race with mechanical problems! So swimming should go this way, progress? I think not! Michael Phelps unable to complete his race due to technical malfunctions! Progress? I don't think so!
speedboat1990 comments contribute nothing to the debate at all either positive or negative. John is not advocating anything of the kind that you are attributing to him. Must have said something right to get your comment!
The attitude of speedboat1990 and likeminded individuals will be advocating hand paddles and fins, after all when "I throw them in the pool they don't swim by themselves" must be me making them go so fast therefore it must be fine to race in them. Therefore must be progress.
Anyway, I'll sign off now got to go to bed early, up early tomorrow to train in the pool, land training core exercises and good rest and nutrition. I must be a real Luddite. Anyway no time to watch or think about the "Waltons" I'm too busy training to swim faster.

Submitted by: scotswim

May 9, 2009 On second thoughts maybe I'm being foolish, all I need to do is to spend some money, get the latest fast suit and set my best times. Result: Less training and faster times and more time to make stupid comments about ‘70's TV shows equals REAL PROGRESS!
Submitted by: scotswim

May 9, 2009 Even in the midst of your humor, scotswiwm, you couldn't have been more right on the mark than you were above.
Submitted by: paddles

May 9, 2009 Thanks Jaked, the swimmers of Brazil are flying!!!

Tatiane Sakemi 200 peito 2:29:46 - Jaked
Tales Cerdeira 200 peito 2:09:31 - Jaked
Henrique Barbosa 200 peito 2:08:65 - Jaked
Carol Mussi 200 peito 2:27:42 - Jaked
Henrique Barbosa 200 peito 2:08:44 - Jaked
Monique Ferreira 200 livre 1:59:78 - Jaked
Nicolas Oliveira 200 livre 1:46:90 - Jaked
Kaio Márcio 100 borboleta 51:64 - Blueseventy
Guilherme Guido 50 costas 24:79 - Jaked
Gabriel Mangabeira 100 borboleta 51:21 - Jaked
Fabíola Molina 50 costas 28:19 - Jaked
Guilherme Guido 50 costas 24:71 - Jaked
4 x 50 livre masculino Pinheiros 1:26:42 2 com LZR, 1 com Jaked, 1 com X-Glide Arena
Fernanda Alvarenga 200 costas - 2:12:32 - Jaked
Gabriella Silva 50 borboleta - 26:18 - Jaked
Kaio Márcio 50 borboleta - 24:55 - Blueseventy
César Cielo - 50 borboleta - 23:49 - Arena R-Evolution
Guilherme Roth 50 borboleta - 23:46 - Jaked
Kristel Kobrich 400 livre - 4:11:83 - Jaked
Gabriella Silva 50 borboleta feminino 26:18 - Jaked
César Cielo 50 borboleta masculino - 23:42 - Arena R-Evolution

Submitted by: luiz

May 9, 2009 The hi tech suits have brought a lot of attention to a sport that really hasn't gotten little recognition compared to the other major sports. Everyone should enjoy the attention the sport is receiving. Going back is no option unless you're ready to kill swimming.
Submitted by: speedboat1990

May 10, 2009 Thanks, paddles
Submitted by: scotswim

May 10, 2009 speedboat1990 the current attention is in large part due to the success of Phelps, Rice and inspiring performances such as Lezak's in the relay. Superb!
Attention due to the suits is not wholesome and is generally superficial and will not generate a lasting impact. Although if the suit mess is not sorted out quickly the damage to the sport will have a lasting impact.
Swimming still has to market its self more aggressively, it is the individuals at the top that can do this. There is more media attention due to more competitions and don't under estimate the longevity of swimmers careers in the overall media possibilities. The longer you are at the top greater interest will be generated in the sport. The publicity due to Torres and Mark Foster's continued participation at a high level in the Olympics is the positive attention that should be generated. Not the attention generated by the suits which having created faster times but diluted the achievement.
Submitted by: scotswim

May 10, 2009 luiz, you are saying the achievements of the Brazilian swimmers is "Thanks to Jaked"??
I'm not quite sure if you are highlighting your belief that the success is only due to the suit or even if you are praising the swimmers!!
I would hope the success was down to hard work and making the most of your genetic potential it is a bit disappointing if it was only "thanks to Jaked"!
Submitted by: scotswim

May 10, 2009 My friend Acotswim , firstly, would like telling him that I was always against these clothes of rubber, that they are changing the direction of our sport.

I am a Brazilian and I was already in two Olympiads, I know it as for technique, training, they are important for the development of the swimming.
I cannot accept what the clothes of rubber level for low our sport.
Be a lot of time the triathlon wears clothes of rubber and they also know that there is a lot of time all that you link are careless in the performance of the swimming!!

The Jaked is an scandal!!

With the clothes of rubber, we will be going to observe a change in the standard of the swimmers, the strongest, with more muscular mass, they will lack him fluctuation compensated with the use of the clothes. Very dificult, we will see a thin swimmer, winning a proof of speed!!

Forgive for me the strange way of expressing me, I speak little English and write worse still, am using a translator!!

I hug, Luiz.

Submitted by: luiz

May 10, 2009 Your English is fine. Thank you for your wise words.
Submitted by: paddles

May 11, 2009 Luiz, Thanks for your response, it is clear now. As paddles says thank you for your wise words.
Regards
Submitted by: scotswim

May 11, 2009 Since John's article dwells primarily on practical aspects of wearing the suits, I'll comment on the anonymous post (second above). The person is describing the ideal way to treat the new suits, which is fine if one is able to do that diligently.

I just think that it would be very, very difficult to keep that up at anything other than a championship meet that lasts several days, and at which you would likely have a lot of time in between events. I cannot imagine doing that at a one-day meet on a weekend in which you're going to be swimming several events in the span of a few hours.
Submitted by: Charlie

May 11, 2009 Friends, it would like doing a reflection with you!

Since there will be checked the measure of 1 millimeter of the clothes of rubber before the competition, I wait what after all of that one it messes up, the FINE ONE is held responsible for the frauds, it is clear that the swindlers will be going to do clothes with 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 millimeters with the same design of the clothes of permitted rubber!!
How to say if a clothes have 1.0 or 1.3 millimeters?

Irresponsibility of the FINA!!!

I wait that the members of the FINA, think less in cash and more in our dear sport!!
Submitted by: luiz

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