INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, August 11. THE National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced today that effective immediately speedsuits are banned for high school competition. The move follows suit with FINA and the NCAA in similar actions in the past month.<\/p>\n
Here is the complete ruling from the NFHS, which previously had intended on allowing double-suiting heading into this year:<\/p>\n
Suits worn by swimmers shall be limited to the following requirements:
\na. only one swimsuit shall be permitted in competition. (A swimmer with special needs may request customization through his\/her school to the state association.)
\nb. the swimsuit shall be:
\n1. constructed of a woven\/knit textile material;
\n2. permeable (100 percent to air and water);
\n3. made so as not to aid in buoyancy and shall not be altered to aid in buoyancy;
\n4. made with no zippers or other fastening system other than a waist tie for a brief or jammer and elastic material within the casing\/ribbing in the terminal ends (straps, leg openings, and waist openings); and
\n5. constructed so that the style\/shape of the suit for males shall not extend above the waist nor below the top of the kneecap and for females shall not extend beyond the shoulders nor below the top of the kneecap, nor cover the neck.<\/p>\n
Penalty (For ART. 2): When an official discovers a competitor wearing an illegal swimsuit by the wearing of two suits or a suit which is of an illegal construction, the official shall:
\n1. when reporting prior to the start of the heat, notify the competitor to make legal the swimsuit before becoming eligible to compete. If the competitor cannot comply without delaying the start of the heat, the competitor is disqualified from that event and shall not be eligible for further competition until in a legal swimsuit;
\n2. when the competitor has stepped up on the starting platform but prior to the starting device being activated, direct the competitor to "Step down," disqualify the competitor from that event and he\/she shall not be eligible for further competition until in a legal swimsuit;
\n3. when the starting device has been activated, disqualify the competitor at the completion of the heat; nullify the competitor's performance time and he\/she shall not be eligible for further competition until in a legal swimsuit.<\/p>\n
Rationale: Technical swimsuits were introduced to the world of swimming approximately two years ago. The advanced technology fundamentally altered the sport, and swimwear became more of a piece of equipment as opposed to a uniform. The rules of swimming have always prohibited the wearing or use of an item that would aid in the swimmer's speed or buoyancy. The technical suits have evolved with little or no regard for these basic rules. In order to preserve the integrity, tradition and heritage of the sport, as well as protect and enhance the interscholastic swimming program, the new requirements and restrictions on swimwear are necessary to promote the educational values of high school athletics by promoting fair play. The immediate implementation date will guarantee fairness in competition throughout the high school swimming seasons and allow the meet officials to fairly and consistently enforce the rule.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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