Australia, US oppose more swimsuit changes
Source: Agencies |
July 23, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
POOL powers Australia and the United States have each come out against any further changes in swimsuit rules, amid speculation that governing body FINA could make another switch in 2013.
Since high-tech bodysuits were outlawed at the start of last year, no world records have been set in an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool, and nobody is quite sure what to expect when the swimming portion of the world championships open tomorrow.
Men have been penalized more under the new rules, with their suits limited to jammers covering the waist down to the knees, while women's suits stretch from the shoulders to the knees.
Manufacturers want to see men's suits brought in line with the women's wear so they can restore company logos to athletes' chests.
"I'm sure the ladies who are watching male swimmers out there like to see the guys dressed the way they are now," said Australia head coach Leigh Nugent. "If they want to do some advertising why don't they let them put some tattoos on themselves - they like doing that."
The record drought comes in sharp contrast to the 255 world marks set during the rubberized suit era of 2008 and 2009.
"I would like to see it stay the way it is," Nugent said. "We have to stabilize the sport and the performances. I think we're at the right place now."
The only world records set since January 2010 came at the short-course worlds in December: two from American standout Ryan Lochte, plus relay victories by Russian men and Chinese women.
Frank Busch, USA Swimming's national team director, doesn't see any point in changing the rules again.
"I think the general public looks at it and is like, 'What's the matter, can't you guys get your arms around this issue?' So I think we got our arms around it and I think we need to go forward," Busch said. "I think we're good where we are."
Since high-tech bodysuits were outlawed at the start of last year, no world records have been set in an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool, and nobody is quite sure what to expect when the swimming portion of the world championships open tomorrow.
Men have been penalized more under the new rules, with their suits limited to jammers covering the waist down to the knees, while women's suits stretch from the shoulders to the knees.
Manufacturers want to see men's suits brought in line with the women's wear so they can restore company logos to athletes' chests.
"I'm sure the ladies who are watching male swimmers out there like to see the guys dressed the way they are now," said Australia head coach Leigh Nugent. "If they want to do some advertising why don't they let them put some tattoos on themselves - they like doing that."
The record drought comes in sharp contrast to the 255 world marks set during the rubberized suit era of 2008 and 2009.
"I would like to see it stay the way it is," Nugent said. "We have to stabilize the sport and the performances. I think we're at the right place now."
The only world records set since January 2010 came at the short-course worlds in December: two from American standout Ryan Lochte, plus relay victories by Russian men and Chinese women.
Frank Busch, USA Swimming's national team director, doesn't see any point in changing the rules again.
"I think the general public looks at it and is like, 'What's the matter, can't you guys get your arms around this issue?' So I think we got our arms around it and I think we need to go forward," Busch said. "I think we're good where we are."
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