FINA World Championships, Swimming: Observations from FINA Bureau Press Conference

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By Priyant Pratap, BehindTheBlocks.com

ROME, Italy, July 28. TODAY, a press conference was held to discuss the suits situation with swimming at the FINA World Championships.

With a plethora of world records being set, as expected, FINA President Julio Maglione held this to clarify the situation and the rulings that have been made. A world record has been set in every event so far, except the men's 400 free relay, which also saw the oldest world record in the books, Inge de Bruijn's 56.61 in the women's 100 fly being lowered by two swimmers, Sarah Sjostrom and Jessicah Schipper, not to mention seven women in the final breaking the 57s barrier.

A meeting was held in the morning regarding the FINA Bureau's response to the FINA Congress decision to ban the high tech swimsuits heading into next year.

Here are some of the thoughts coming out of the today's press conference:

"The decision of the assembly was to control the rules in the future about swimsuits."

FINA has made a pledge to the international swimming community that issues of permeability, buoyancy and thickness would be closely examined and taken into consideration for the future of swimming.

"The Bureau will have to ability to control and coordinate. It is not to correct any prior decisions, but to coordinate future developments in Swimming."

This statement seemingly was made to suggest that this decision was made independent of the overturning of rules a month ago when FINA decided to let all the suits through for this competition.

"The recognition of textile will be chosen by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. The definition of this will be available on the 30th of September."

FINA has said that it will set strict definitions and provide this information to the suit manufacturers as soon as possible.

"As this issue is so complex, FINA has to decide on the best definition to fulfill proper definitions on textiles, and shapes. Shapes are the second issue. The suit should not extend above navel or below the knee. The women cannot cover the shoulder, knee dramatically, and not cover the neck."

FINA also promised to oversee the developments better and work together with manufacturers. FINA said the tests are going to be scientific measurable tests related to the thickness – 1mm, they will go to 0.8mm and if the scientific group advises otherwise they will go with that.

Buoyancy – is going to 1 Newton. The test currently specifies they should be to go to 0.5N. FINA aims to go to 0N.

University of Lausanne will guide FINA in these decisions. Swimsuits affect the manufacturer and any modification before use is prohibited.

Rules will apply in 2010, but FINA has yet to decide exactly when in 2010. This lack of specificity raised questions by journalists as to why FINA cannot set a strict deadline, and whether there is any guarantee as to them sticking to this. FINA responded – "you will have to trust us".

Maglione believes that the world records at the moment are due to the swimmers, not the suits – that hard work each day is why these records have been set. FINA dodged questions again when asked more specifically, when the press pointed out those suits were largely a contributor, to which the press booed.

FINA also aims for a unisex costume for men and women, but will maintain for now what the governing body has decided. Then, FINA will work in the future to decide on this matter and what's best.

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