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Peirsol predicts more records will fall
Source: Agencies |
August 27, 2009, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RECORDS smashed at the 2009 world championships in Rome are likely to be broken as early as next year despite a ban on polyurethane swimsuits taking effect from January 1, says world and Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol.
The swimsuits, which provide greater bouyancy and streamlining under the water, helped contribute to 43 records being broken at the July 17-August 2 championships.
However, Peirsol, who swam one minute, 51.92 seconds to break his own world record and claim gold in the 200 meters backstroke, is not convinced his and other records will stand for long even after swimmers revert back to textile swimsuits.
"This sport will learn how to break those records again very, very quickly," Peirsol said on a conference call to discuss his appearance at the World Cup short-course meeting in Singapore on November 21-22.
"People have had a taste of going very fast. They won't forget it. They will get back into the water and think they can go that fast again, and they will.
"I think people will be surprised at how fast they go next year. I do think world records will get broken next year."
Peirsol said he had initially been sceptical and critical of the new suits' performance capabilities, but had begun to accept their use by the time of the championships.
"The initial impact of the suits was pretty negative, including (from) myself," the 26-year-old added.
"(But) I go back and forth with it. I thought the competitiveness it brought to the sport was unparalleled. I think it leveled the playing field quite a bit.
"You could look at it as being an evolution of the sport with the way it was going with technology."
The swimsuits, which provide greater bouyancy and streamlining under the water, helped contribute to 43 records being broken at the July 17-August 2 championships.
However, Peirsol, who swam one minute, 51.92 seconds to break his own world record and claim gold in the 200 meters backstroke, is not convinced his and other records will stand for long even after swimmers revert back to textile swimsuits.
"This sport will learn how to break those records again very, very quickly," Peirsol said on a conference call to discuss his appearance at the World Cup short-course meeting in Singapore on November 21-22.
"People have had a taste of going very fast. They won't forget it. They will get back into the water and think they can go that fast again, and they will.
"I think people will be surprised at how fast they go next year. I do think world records will get broken next year."
Peirsol said he had initially been sceptical and critical of the new suits' performance capabilities, but had begun to accept their use by the time of the championships.
"The initial impact of the suits was pretty negative, including (from) myself," the 26-year-old added.
"(But) I go back and forth with it. I thought the competitiveness it brought to the sport was unparalleled. I think it leveled the playing field quite a bit.
"You could look at it as being an evolution of the sport with the way it was going with technology."
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