What if We Ditch the Tech Suit?

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

By Kristy Kinzer, Swimming World College Intern.

An Era of Tech Suits

Nearly every sport has evolved with new rules and regulations that govern the dynamics of training and competition, and swimming has not remained untouched. We’ve all seen changes to the sport, such as updated breaststroke pull-out regulations, new back-to-breast turns in the individual medley, improved specialty training regimens, and trendy “most effective” stroke techniques.

But all things considered, the most controversial aspect of modern swimming is the athlete’s attire: the high-tech suit. Unlike minor changes in equipment with other sports such as improved technical tennis racquets or golf clubs, the high-tech swim suit offers athletes an advantage likened to doping.

Photo Courtesy: Tony Lewis

The Low-Down

Swimmers are always looking for a way to get a competitive edge, whether it’s shaving any exposed areas, wearing a dome cap, or uniquely engineered goggles with the intent of reducing drag. These competitive advantages may be compared with a few thousandths of seconds spared; however, the tech suit can be attributed to several tenths-of-second drops.

No one in the swimming world can forget the record-shattering 2009 World Games in Rome, affectionately known as the “Plastic Games.” Forty-three new world records were set in the debut of polyurethane-based full-body tech suits, as compared to the next highest of 24 records set in 2007 and 19 in 2003 without these suits.

Photo Courtesy: Stefano Rellandini

Highlighting this issue was the 200 freestyle race in which Michael Phelps was defeated by Germany’s Paul Biedermann, who was wearing a pure polyurethane suit superior to Phelps’s. It was the first race internationally that any athlete beat Phelps, and Biedermann himself seemed to credit the suit and not his abilities as the real winner.

“I hope there will be a time when I can beat Michael Phelps without the suit,” Biedermann said. He added that the suit debate “is not my problem, it’s not the problem of Arena, my sponsor. It’s the problem of FINA…We’re in a dangerous situation of what comes next. It’s really important to go back to the real swimming.”

Governing Response

To preserve the integrity of the sport, FINA’s congress voted that racing suits be made of permeable materials and that there will be limits on how much of a swimmer’s body could be covered. Among these regulations are specific thickness, buoyancy, and permeability values. Though FINA has banned full-body tech suits which provided pockets of buoyancy and extreme water repelling properties, swimwear companies continuously push the limits within the new regulations to market the “fastest” and best suit. FINA compiles a list of tested and approved swimwear for sanctioned competitions every year; however, it fails to address the underlying ethical issue of an extreme advantage with the tech suit.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Even the currently legal tech suits enable swimmers with less-than-ideal physique or inferior conditioning to be extremely streamlined, devaluing athleticism. But FINA’s improved regulations have garnered positive reactions from pro swimmers. Elizabeth Beisel, one of three team captains of the US women’s Olympic swim team in Rio this past summer, has strong opinions regarding changing the tech suit rules. “Pretty much anybody could swim fast in those suits,” Beisel said. “Now, you definitely need to be a hard worker and have some yardage and stuff under your belt. You can’t just rely on the suits to make you fast anymore.”

Though it seems that the issue of tech suits giving an advantage has been curbed a bit with better regulations, they continue to provide hydrodynamic properties of extra compression, greatly improving body positioning in the water. If relying on training, speed, and talent is truly the direction that beginner and pro swimmers desire the sport to take, then why utilize high tech suits in the first place? Rather than leveling the field by banning full-body suits, wouldn’t the field truly be leveled by banning them altogether?

“It’s not that we are opposed to science, but we want the performance on the athletes to be gauged on their hard work, on what they’re able to accomplish without technological aids, specifically swimsuits,” said Chuck Wielgus, past executive director of USA Swimming.

The Bottom Line

FINA’s rulings attempt to level the field; however, manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries to market their products and improve their bottom line. “It definitely unleashes a little more creativity and innovation if the rules are relaxed a bit,” said Todd Mitchell, who helped develop Michael Phelps’s signature swimsuit line for Aqua Sphere that he wore in Rio. Companies need to make the best profit, of course, and know the rest of the field will follow the elites. Young age-groupers and older masters athletes alike attempt to emulate the suit decisions from pros.

Photo Courtesy: ZwemZa

Furthering the disparity between those with tech suits and those without is the cost of suits. The full-body suits deemed illegal cost nearly $500 each and only last about three meets at most before the material degrades. The current legal suits can cost up to $300 or more depending on the brand and style and sponsorship, and this financial burden for lay-swimmer’s families hardly seems to level the playing field. Wealthier athletes don’t need to think twice about throwing down extra cash for an advantage, beating equally talented but less affluent athletes simply by affording a better suit.

A Truly Level Swimming-Field

“I know the suit rules are there to make it equal for everyone,” said Missy Franklin, who won four gold medals at the 2012 London Games. “That’s what is most important.” If equality is what we’re after, then swimmers who truly desire to hold on to the integrity of the sport would support going back to its roots and banning all high-tech suits from competition. No one would have any sort of advantage over the other simply based on suit material and ability to afford these suits.

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

After all, much of the hype around wearing the legal high tech suits plays into a mental edge rather than just a physical edge. “Some of it is the placebo effect, let’s be honest,” said Bruce Gemmell, who coached American star Katie Ledecky. “I think they’re all about the same.” Nearly every swimmer who has worn a high tech suit can attest to its confidence-boosting ability, no matter the brand of suit worn.

I may be old school, but I think that all tech suits should be banned and stricter regulations be enforced by FINA. Men wear briefs and women wear traditional training suit cuts. Athletes battle it out in the water mano a mano, allowing for superior training and technique to reign and preserve the integrity of the sport of swimming. Let’s get back to simple swimming— whoever is best trained wins.

Commentary: All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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Cameron Rothery

6 years ago

“Highlighting this issue was the 200 butterfly race in which Michael Phelps was defeated by Germany’s Paul Biedermann”

Think you might want to correct that to read, “200 Free”.

Donald P. Spellman

6 years ago

WE would save money.
The suit manufacturers would lose money.
There would be less money at the top end to support professional athletes.

Joanne Newton

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

This is true……

John Dussliere

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

Don I can tell you the suit companies will lose nothing if the tech suits were ruled out.

Nope

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

I don’t buy that. The manufacturers have plenty of other ways to make money. They would find new revenue streams. And it would still be in their interest to sponsor elite athletes.

Donald P. Spellman

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

Will they still be able to sponsor pro athletes & swim teams?

John Dussliere

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

They really don’t spend as much on that as you may think.

John Dussliere

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

They are all being bought up by firms that see sponsorship as nothing more than an expense that they would like to get rid of.

Donald P. Spellman

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

Similar to Track & Field then.

John Dussliere

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

Except swim companies don’t accept or promote a doping culture. ?

Donald P. Spellman

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

John Dussliere : Burn Warning ⚠️

John Dussliere

6 years ago

Reply to Donald P. Spellman

Swoosh!!!

Jonna Waller

6 years ago

Oh how much money we would save….

Bill Bell

6 years ago

Yes, exactly, Cameron. The ONLY major200 fly race the GOAT ever list was @. London five years ago to Chad Le Clis. The race to which you refer was in fact the 200 free — and Herr Biedermann has to duplicate either if hus Rome wins in any otter major international competition since.

Talk about a one-hit wonder!

Cameron Rothery

6 years ago

Reply to Bill Bell

Yup. For him and a number of others the suit was THE difference between world record holder and ‘also swam’.

Colleen Hazlett

6 years ago

Really, body shaming while talking about tech suits?

“Even the currently legal tech suits enable swimmers with less-than-ideal physique or inferior conditioning to be extremely streamlined, devaluing athleticism.”

Author

Kristy Kinzer

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

Lol yes, I always felt body shamed just by putting them on. But I am pointing out a fact that the most streamlined body is faster…can’t argue with physics. Athletes have a certain amount of control over their body composition, and many swimmers think they can eat whatever they want and still be in the top shape. I am quite curvy myself and am limited in speed by my body type in certain ways that aren’t necessarily under my control. But if you look at most elite female swimmers, they have similar body types-long, lean, and very strong–though not all look the same.

James Bice

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

Is that what you took from that? I think you’re digging. It’s not body shaming, it’s stating a fact.

James Bice

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

“Even the currently legal tech suits enable swimmers with less-than-ideal (fat and lazy) physique or inferior (slow and not trained) conditioning to be extremely streamlined, devaluing athleticism.”

Yep, that is what we call hitting the nail on the head.

Debra Wold Hardwick

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

I have a less than ideal body at 37 and utilized the knee length suit to pull in my hips and thighs. No body shame. Reality of drag. I think we all do it.

Jennette Hawk-Gonzalez

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

James Bice I didn’t get body shaming either from that. It was well said ?

James Bice

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

I’m far from peak competition shape at 39, but I’m not going to say I need a tech suit before I say I need to train.

Daniel Caudle

6 years ago

Reply to Colleen Hazlett

James Bice I was going to say the same thing.

Zach Burr

6 years ago

Paul Biedermann never beat Phelps in a 200 fly. It was the 200 free.

Adam Schön

6 years ago

Why? We are like the only sport in the world who take steps backwards in the development of our racing gear!

Author

Kristy Kinzer

6 years ago

Reply to Adam Schön

Has and should racing gear really been a focus of competition? That’s the discussion I want to bring up. You can see technology as evolution, or technology polluting the sport (or several other stances). Swimming used to be about watching athletes race, not which gear is best. I appreciate your opinion though.

Jennifer Butler Wortman

6 years ago

Reply to Adam Schön

That’s why swimming is still a pure sport.

Nicholas Chen

6 years ago

Typo on the article. Michael Phelps didn’t race Paul Biederman in the 200 fly. It was the 200 free.

Rich Rohlfing

6 years ago

How about the backstrokers actually touch the wall with their HAND when doing a turn.

Lauren Royce

6 years ago

GASP

Amy Rostvold Ahrens

6 years ago

Yes! It would save us lots of $$$.

Elizabeth Hinely

6 years ago

Reply to Amy Rostvold Ahrens

I don’t think it would. I think it is more likely that the regular racing suits would end up costing more. They have to make their money somehow.

David Abineri

6 years ago

I cannot understand why our international leaders in FINA do not seem to have, for example, a one year trial period before allowing any new technology to be used in all competitions. It seems that they are probably lining their pockets at the expense of properly protecting the sport they govern.

Swimparenthere

6 years ago

I think they should be banned for 14/under athletes. It is especially ridiculous to see prepubescent 10-year-old girls wearing tech suits. I’ve even seen 7yo girls wearing them, and the suit is too big anyway (though almost becomes a full-body suit by the percent of the small body covered!).

Many teams/coaches only allow them for championship meets, and above certain ages. The theory being, “save something for later, when you need it more”. I couldn’t agree more.

Lynette Besonday-Washburn

6 years ago

It would save money and muscles trying to get the darn thing on?

Noelle Tolbert

6 years ago

I kind of agree with this. You feel pressured to have your swimmer in a tech suit for major meets as well. We should just get back to swimming…without the high tech gear.

Betsy Wasiniak

6 years ago

I agree they should be banned before high school. Early years are for learning (technique, power, endurance ,strength) ; adapting swim to body changes and growth; losing races ; setting new goals to win the next race and build confidence. Why add technology before all this?

Lulu Bellm

6 years ago

Reply to Betsy Wasiniak

I agree, but I would wait until college

Betsy Wasiniak

6 years ago

Reply to Betsy Wasiniak

College…even better!

Mike McHenry

6 years ago

Reply to Betsy Wasiniak

Skills before speed…speed before endurance, but good luck getting coaches, and more importantly, parents on board with that.

Autumn Hanson

6 years ago

Rebecca Marshall Merz

6 years ago

Reply to Autumn Hanson

Interesting!!

Bridget Corydon Parker

6 years ago

With 3 swimmers, it would certainly save me a ton of money!!

John Ferrara

6 years ago

Ditch the tech suits so we can compare apples to apples. We didn’t have them back in the day.

Adam Schön

6 years ago

Reply to John Ferrara

We didn’t have cars or airplane either! You want horses back as our transport?

John Ferrara

6 years ago

Reply to John Ferrara

I’m talking back in the day as in pre-2000 when there was no techsuits or similar suits. Hope they had cars, planes, trains or buses where you live before then.

Anne Coates

6 years ago

Better for my bank balance to ditch these suits

Christian Rottier

6 years ago

They ditch the suits ima be ticked! Just spent 400$ on a new lzr x

John Turner

6 years ago

Sure change the rules – next it will be legalize PED’s

Dave Hoover

6 years ago

Nothing….and it’ll all be just about swimming again and not a high tech arms race.

Jennifer Butler Wortman

6 years ago

Reply to Dave Hoover

Like the first Olympics?

Jon Dubrick

6 years ago

Everyone would rank the same….just a little slower

Bryan Hockman

6 years ago

When it comes to tech suits I’m glad I have boys.

Shelley Bachman Moore

6 years ago

Reply to Bryan Hockman

I am jealous.

Bryan Hockman

6 years ago

Reply to Bryan Hockman

Haha I bet. I’ve seen the prices you pay.

John Bradley

6 years ago

The $$$ argument is not the greatest one to make IMHO. Couldn’t the same argument then be made that two athletes equal in every way except one – one can afford to pay for superior coaching or training. Should we subsidize athletes and programs so they have equal training opportunities? I think the better argument is one that uses some sort of suit formula – standard fabric, etc… Having said that, I don’t mind the suits. No different than racquets or clubs. Everyone has access to them.

Carl Schoonover

6 years ago

I hate it when they say it makes you faster. Your improved fitness makes you faster. The high tech strokes just slow you down less. If everyone wore these suits, then the playing field is level, and it wouldn’t matter if it was a regular swim suit or a high tech one. The better swimmer will still win.

Glen Silvers

6 years ago

Age groupers should not be allowed to where them. Older than that, I’m cool with.

Donald P. Spellman

6 years ago

The problem is certain suits work.

Randy Moldenhauer

6 years ago

Swim Naked 🙂

Jennette Hawk-Gonzalez

6 years ago

I wish there’d go back old school, no fancy suits, just good swimming ?

Lisa Bright

6 years ago

Even playing field then

Lisa Bright

6 years ago

So stupid of a comment smh

Tomas Thrainsson

6 years ago

Just ban the infernal things. It should be about ability, not gear

Tracey Thedvall Annandale

6 years ago

Ritalin in academics? Asthma inhalers in sport? Protein shakes & bars everyone can argue for their beliefs

Louise Patterton

6 years ago

#makeswimmingsexyagain 🙂

Daniel Caudle

6 years ago

I’ve never used a tech suit. The main reasons are cost and need. I’m 35, so I’m not swimming for a spot in the 2020 Olympics. I’m swimming for fitness, comradare, and an occaional fun competition with someone my age. So a $300 tech suit would not be ideal for me. At that price I’d much rather buy 8 or 9 traditional suits and have enough to last me a year or more. Having said that, for those who ARE trying for Olympics or international competition, it is my understanding (correct me if I’m wrong here) that the tech suits are banned at those levels? If that is still the case, I would say do the same thing we say in the Army, we train how we fight. If I can only use a certain style/material of suit at competition levels, then that is how I would train in the pool everyday as well.

Lévis-Simon Carpentier

6 years ago

Reply to Daniel Caudle

1. Techsuits aren’t banned no
2. They aren’t used in training because they are extremely expensive and don’t give you the same feel and advantages after 3-4 races, nevermind after even only 1 5-8 km practice.

Daniel Caudle

6 years ago

Reply to Daniel Caudle

Lévis-Simon Carpentier Thanks! I couldn’t remember if they had been banned or not.

Orranat Swimmers

6 years ago

Jim Bowser

6 years ago

Almost all the participants use the suits. So, the playing field or swimming field is equal.

Nicky Graham

6 years ago

Tiffani Graham

Swim Mom

6 years ago

We have a 10-year-old daughter and we got a TYR suit as a gift. If it was not for that, she would not have it. We will not be able to replace it. In the meantime, she uses it as I would have for such an expensive item to go to waste.

She is asthmatic and on doctor instructions we have to keep her chest dry especially in winter months. During these months we use old style suits during morning heats as she can quickly change between races and stay dry when the air is cold.

Our deal was that she could have one when she swims Level 3 times and she received the gift from our family when she reached that milestone last year. (In the USA it is 10 & U AAA times).

I do not think there is any benefit. Having said that she looks pretty good in it (as long as it lasts) and it gives her confidence as she is not the odd one out at the blocks. At age groups she swims in the heats with the 12-14-year old swimmers. We are heading for AAAA times this year…..