Reachforthewall.com -- the very good website that tracks developments in the swimming world -- has a story on how suit enforcement may take place in the coming months.
As devoted swim followers well know, the sport's governing bodies have moved to ban the high-tech, full-body suits that have sparked controversy in the swimming world. The WIAA has announced that the suits will not be allowed in state competition for this year's girls and boys seasons.
But that's left some to wonder -- what is a legal suit? The sports governing bodies -- USA Swimming and FINA (and in turn the WIAA and the national high school sports association) -- have yet to provide a legal list of suits, and have suggested it may be up to coaches and meet officials to make a decision. (The primary guidance so far has been on suit length -- nothing longer than jammers for boys, and knee-length to neck for women.)
Here's how it might work; see this story (although it focuses on Washington, D.C.-area swim clubs, it provides some insights into how suit disputes may be resolved elsewhere):
http://reachforthewall.com/2009/09/22/what-to-wear-if-it-looks-legal-it-is/
Note this important section of the story:
More specifically, USA Swimming President Jim Wood said, officials will be advised to make judgments in three areas: Is the suit the appropriate length? Is it free of zippers or fasteners, which are now banned? And is the material, whatever it is, the same throughout — in other words, no visible panels, such as those found on Speedo’s popular LZR?
The answer to all three questions must be yes.
“We don’t want to go around feeling materials, but those three [evaluations] are pretty easily made,” Wood said.
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3 comments:
What is disappointing is that the WIAA and NFHS have refused to even acknowledge requests to rule on specific suits. There are really only a handful of suits that are in play. If the WIAA would only rule on those, it would clear up 99.99% of the potential problems. If all they are going to enforce is length, zippers and "no panels" then amend the rule to state that, and don't publish rules they don't intend to enforce.
Also, the panels issue proves too much. There are a lot of suits with contrasting color panels, or two materials, each of which is perfectly legal standing alone. It should only be panels of a non-fabric material that cause a suit to be banned.
USA swimming has published a list of swimsuits
http://usaswimming.org/usasweb/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1267&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=2631&mid=4153
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