The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has announced a relaxation of Regulation 411 which previously banned swimwear that covered the whole body. The ASA was established in 1869 and continues to be one of three national aquatic governing bodies in the British Swimming Federation, along with the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association and the Welsh Amateur Swimming Association.
New swimwear guidance for competitive swimming will allow more people to participate in events across England.
The new guidance means swimmers who wear full body suits for religious beliefs or a pre-existing medical condition, are now able to compete in all ASA licensed swimming meets and national events.
A positive step for swimming in England
Chris Bostock, Chairman of the ASA Sport Governing Board, said: “This is a very positive step forward for competitive swimming in England and one that we hope will encourage many more people to take part.
“We want everyone to be able to reach their potential. Representing your Club at a national swimming competition is very special. By changing these rules we hope to encourage a new generation of swimmers.”
Rimla Akhtar from the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF), said: “Participation in sport amongst Muslim women is increasing at a rapid pace. It is imperative that governing bodies adapt and tailor their offerings to suit the changing landscape of sport, including those who access their sport.
“The MWSF is glad to have requested a review of competition laws in relation to full body suits by the ASA and are extremely pleased at the outcome.
“We thank the ASA for their leadership in this matter. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that this ruling is also adopted at the elite level both nationally and internationally.”
Swimwear guidance for competitive swimming already in effect
The new guidance is already in effect. It applies to all levels of ASA licensed meets (1,2,3 and 4) and ASA National Events.
The guidance was developed by the ASA Swimming Management Group following recommendations from the MSWD.
It also covers those involved in running the events including technical officials and volunteers.
- Full details of the type of swim wear covered by the guidance can be accessed here.
Editors Note: While the ASA has relaxed the regulations regarding full-body swimwear at ASA events, full body suits cannot be worn at a FINA-sanctioned event per their bylaws, specifically BL-8 SWIMWEAR.
Press release courtesy of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).
Then everyone should have that option.
Oh no ! So let’s discriminate against all the other swimmers now that can’t use body suits. Yeah that’s the right thing to do.
Wow! Yeah, your right, this woman looks like her body suit is giving her a big advantage.
What the hell do looks have to do with it. It’s a rule, plain and simple. Oh wait, change the rules for some and not others. Very diplomatic.?
Exactly – you said it best. Can’t wait to see what’s next A head start ??
Haha….rude but funny…. I ‘m sooo against this kind of suit.. there are rules to be followed…
As long as it isn’t a tech suit. Loose nylon should be fine. 🙂
That’s outrageous
I don’t have a problem with Moslem women wearing full body suits but to discriminate against every other religion is not the English way!
What about Moslem men?
Presumably they can also wear them
Is every meet now going to have to include technical inspections to determine if these things are offering any advantage?
Bulls**t
Given the comments posted so far on this thread it would be good if SW could follow up this release with some greater detail. How many Muslim swimmers currently compete in UK at the levels where suits are allowed? I would like to see a picture of a swimmer in a full body approved suit head to toe to see how it fits. I don’t think a full body nylon type moderate fit practice suit with a lycra head hood would be nearly as fast as a competition suit that a women currently wears. They are very tight and still have some compression just in a uniform way. This is just a rule to allow women to participate. It sounds like they have made a fair effort to supervise and make sure no cheating is happening. It would likely be the same handful or less of competitors every meet.
Why not?
Because there are strict to prevent unfair advantage that such suits give?
Wrong!!! Because of this terrorists are finding ground. She can go to Saudi Arabia
The times shouldn’t count if they violate FINA competition suit rules.
This is really ridiculous and also against FINA rules. They are basically bending the rules to suit the moslems. Whats next Sharia laws
Yep. I hope so. Sharia law sounds fun.
Ha ha
If this kind of suits has no effect on the speed -both negative or positive-, then it’s ok. I don’t really understand why people’s beliefs (and i’m refering to any kind of religion) should affect the sport world, but in the end I don’t feel offended if a muslim girl wants to swim dressed up like that. Oh and please, don’t call them “terrorists”, it only shows how ignorant you are.
There are, of course, very few Muslims who are terrorists. But, the few that are have conserable impact on what is going on. For example, how many Muslim terrorists were involved in shooting up Charlie Hebdo? Not very many. But, they achieved their objective of preventing pretty much everyone from publishing editorial cartoons critical of Islam.
Another result is that this article does not include anyone criticizing this decision because it wouldn’t be prudent, would it, to be too critical of Islam. Wouldn’t want a few of the more excitable Muslim lads to visit, would you? And, as a result, there is now one set of rules for Muslim women swimmers and another for everyone else. Yes, I know they dressed it up to make it look like they weren’t doing that, but that’s what they are doing.
The fact that Islam puts women into these body bags, as one of the many ways that it treats women as being somewhere between second class citizens and property, ought to offend you.
uh?
These suits won’t be like the technical suits of old. Look at the suit in the photo. You can see it isn’t skin tight and I imagine it won’t be made of the same material. I really can’t see Arena, Speedo etc rushing into the market with a new range. To be honest, I have more issues with the current suits that the ladies wear as, in my opinion, the aren’t too dissimilar to the old knee suits .
No lo entiendo..en el deporte no deberian entrar politica y religion, esta por encima de todo eso y es parte de su belleza, estas mujeres tienen unas creencias, del todo respetables, que les impide competir con los bañadores regulamentares asi como comer cerdo etc, por lo cual deberian abstenerse por coherencia a sus principios
Chris Bostock and everyone else who voted for this change have chosen to be dhimmis and to participate in Islam’s enslavement of women. There are, apaprently, no Charles Napiers in that organization. Which demonstrates quite clearly what is going wrong in Great Britain and the rest of the West.
Are the suits or the competitions “for religious purposes”???
Religious competitions as it says in the title?????
I train “religiously” for competitions, does that count I wonder???
good
Since it says in the title the suits are for “competitions for religious purposes” this will not affect me since I have never in 56 years swum in a “competition for religious purposes”!?????
Haha Ha good one!!
I don’t care if you’re Muslim, a Greek, a Jew, whatever, but, I’m sorry, this is ridiculous. If you don’t want to follow the swim world rules, than don’t swim. There are so many sports that she can do, and still be dressed in her religious way
Why should people be deprived of swimming competitively because of religion don’t be bitter. Also the swim world shouldn’t be able to dictate who can race based on religion
I’m not bitter, but there are rules. It’s not about religion, it’s about FINA rules which everybody follows.
The suite pictured looks like it will ADD 4 seconds to a 100M free. ?
If this provides opportunity to women who otherwise would not be able to compete, we should fully support it.
As long they abide by tech-suit guidelines!! But if my daughter can’t race in a full body suits than they should be disqualified!! Swimming is all based on qualification times!! If this suit makes her faster than other girls wearing tech suits these should be banned!!
Not good. Makes me think about the unfairness of “superbathsuits”.