Bernard’s haul leads to swimsuit debate

“There are concerns about suits being like triathlon suits, which are thicker,” FINA executive director Cornel Marculsecu was quoted as saying by SwimNews.com on Monday. “There are buoyancy issues. We have to review this.”

There have been 13 world records set since mid February, 12 in the LZR Racer, a full-length body swimsuit made by Speedo. Federica Pellegrini of Italy ended the one-brand exclusivity Monday night, lowering the record for the 400-metre freestyle in a new Arena outfit. Marculsecu said the suit would be discussed at the world short course championships in Manchester, England, next month.

French swimmer Alain Bernard was wearing the LZR suit when he broke three world records in three nights at the European championships — twice in the 100 freestyle and also the 50 freestyle.

Bernard has an individual deal with Speedo but his French team is linked to a rival swimwear company and has called for an inquiry into the suit. “I think it deserves a real debate. It’s even worth being analysed by an ethical committee,” French swimming federation technical director Claude Fauquet said.

Speedo also launched a new suit before the world championships in Australia last year. Rob Davies, general manager of Speedo Australia, said on Monday . “It is FINA approved. It is available to everyone.”

The increasing use of such suits has led some swimmers to question the growing importance of technology in competition. “It is going to be a technological battle come the Olympics,” South African swimmer Roland Schoeman said at the launch of the Powerskin R-evolution suit by Speedo’s rival Arena — and worn Monday night by Pellegrini.

“It would be great to see the final of the Olympics just be basically people and their talent, like Popov when he was just swimming in his briefs,” said Schoeman, the world 50-metre butterfly champion.