great body suit controversy, The

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Jun 2000 by Whitten, Phillip

Ever since its introduction in mid-March, the new Speedo "fast-skin" body suit-and similar suits produced by Adidas, Arena, NIKE, Spank and The Victor-has stirred up a storm of controversy. The dispute has been particularly vigorous in Australia, where accusations, counter-accusations and threats of lawsuits have filled the sports pages.

The controversy centers around two questions: (1) is the body suit a "device" that aids speed, endurance or flotation, conferring an advantage on a swimmer wearing one? and (2) are the suits available to all swimmers on an equal basis? So there are two salient issues: one of performance enhancement, the second of equity.

Last November, after four years of testing by Speedo, FINA gave its blessing to the fast-skin suit, which is said to mimic the skin of a shark, allowing the swimmer to slip through the water with less resistance than mere human skin allows. In fact, according to Speedo, the fast-skin suit reduces resistance by three to seven percent, implying that a swimmer wearing the suit might be able to swim that much faster. Reports from swimmers using the new suits have been mixed, though generally favorable.

FINA's decision was challenged in April by the Australian Olympic Committee, which took its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. FINA secretary Gunnar Werner promptly announced that FINA would not abide by any decision that went against it-a direct violation of a FINA rule that specifies that FINA will abide by any CAS ruling.

Not to worry: CAS endorsed the FINA ruling, citing FINA's "expert" opinion that the suits were not prohibited "devices" under Rule SW 10.7. Problem is, critics note, there was nothing "expert" about FINA's opinion. It was made, autocratically, by two members of the Executive Committee who have absolutely no technical swimming expertise whatsoever.

Supporters of the new suits argue that they are just the latest technical innovations in a centuryold progression that brought us from wool to nylon to lycra to the latest hi-tech materials. Likewise, the introduction of lane dividers, lane lines, overflow gutters and a host of other devices has also resulted in enhanced performance.

Last month, USA Swimming's Board of Directors approved the use of the body suits at the U.S. Olympic Trials in August, rejecting a recommendation by its own International Relations Committee that the suits not be allowed. The board felt that since the suits will be permitted in Sydney, it was important that American swimmers have experience with the new suits under top-flight competitive conditions.

The major concern was that the body suits be made available to all competitors at the Trials, so that no one will have an advantage over anyone else. The manufacturers reportedly have assured USA Swimming that the suits will be available to anyone who wants to wear them.

The decision will not sit well with swimming purists, but with the Olympics a bare three months away, it probably is the best that can reasonably be expected.

Phil's e-mail: philw@swiminfo.com