28 Dec 2008

Australian swim coach wants pre-2008 suits at next year's world champs

6:07 pm on 28 December 2008

The coach of the world's fastest male and female swimmers says swimming must roll back the clock on suit technology but admits such a move could put world records out of reach for more than a decade.

In the wake of the breaking of more than 100 world marks this year the Australian coach Grant Stoelwinder believes the controversial Speedo LZR Racer shaved about 0.3 of a second off times per lap compared to previous suits - an enormous advance in sporting terms.

Stoelwinder, who recently took Libby Trickett under his wing and is long time coach of fellow Australian Eamon Sullivan, warns newer suits and the combination of wearing multiple outfits were handing swimmers even more of an edge than provided alone by the Speedo LZR.

He thinks only pre-2008 approved swimsuits should be allowed at next year's Rome world championships.

FINA has called a crisis meeting on February 20 to discuss the burning issue with swimwear manufacturers as well as FINA officials, athletes, coaches and legal commissions.