Readers Respond: Super Swim Suits Good or Bad?

Responses: 26

By Mat Luebbers, About.com Guide

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the new suits are simply "CHEATING" if all swimmers had access to the new suit, no worries. but only the countries rich enough or sponsored by the manufacturer have this advantage. So let's get back to basics. the fastest swimmer WINS. Not the fastest suit. If FINA don't have the courage to ban this suit, or at least keep it unapproved until properly tested, maybe THEY need to be replaced!!!!!
—Guest swimcoachaus

Ban the super suits but keep the old fabric suits. I'm a Masters Swimmer and I was never taught how to swim. I taught myself. My technique could be better as could be overall physical condition. But I swim for fun and I like to compete. I'm never going to set any records, I'm not that good and the only time I pick up a medal is when I enter the events no-one else want to swim. I have 3-suits (all from Ebay) and I enjoy wearing them. They hold in all my extra wobbly bits. In competitions, I'm competing against ex-club swimmers, some in suits, some not, and I feel good that I'm there with them, keeping up with them and sometimes beating them. Me, self taught with a bad technique. I work hard and I train hard but I'm at a level that I'll never improve. I'm 50 next year, so.... Would they ban metal "woods" in golf? Would they re-introduce football (soccer) balls with laces? Could they go back wooden tennis rackets?
—Guest Bat

all basketballs are the same, all baseballs are the same, all footballs are the same, all swim suits should be the same!!
—Guest thomas abbey

What was wrong with the old Speedo,TYR, Dolfin,etc lycra or poly briefs,jammers, or female suits? These are great for racing and we certainly do not need these expensive, uncomfortable new body suits for racing. Michael phelps and the world class swimmers are breaking the records because of all the hard practices and good coaching. They can break more records racing in the old mark spitz, janet evens speedo type suits. Please, the new suits must be banned.I am a masters swimmer and if the new suits are mandatory to race in, I will retire from racing. I will not spend 4 hundred dollars just for a racing suit. I am happy with my old speedo type tank suit.
—Guest MALCOLMSMOM

Last year, when the LZR was the only suit allowed with floatation panels, a famous coach was quoted saying, "if you put two swim suits in the water, neither will go faster than the other." Now, Michael Phelps has stuck to his contract (unlike Dara Torres) to swim in Speedo, and he was beaten by another swimmer in a newer suit. It seems to me that the newer suit helped Biedermann swim faster than he might have in another suit, perhaps faster than he might have in a LZR. But he is still a world-class swimmer. This whole debate begs the question: how much did the LZR help Phelps set his mark last year in Beijing? Should we mark an * next to his achievement, too? He might have only gotten silver in the 100m Fly, or the 4x100m free relay, if it were not for the floatation in those suits.
—Guest Coach Joe

why don't all the swimmers wear the new suits? surely this creates a level playing field/pool or is this too simple a solution?
—Guest fil far

FINA is selfish. Period. FINA IS the problem. The buck always stops at the leadership and there is no leadership, just money exchange going on here. FINA worked with Speedo to allow this to get started after denying Diana. The difference was money. Fina has an amazing rule - a perfect rule really - still on their books. Here it is, copied off their site: "SW 10.7 No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device that may aid his speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition." Notice it doesn't say you can wear a little or a lot, that some ages can or cannot, etc. it says you can't do it. At all. Just like you can't bring a boat to your lane even if it "restricts the trade" of boat makers- an argument made that manifests the "fear" FINA has of being sued by swim suit manufacturers. We need intelligence and integrity and neither are manifested. The coaches are NOT for these suits. The swimmers like how fun it is; we all like tobogganing and water slides too. Replace FINA.
—Guest Steve Friederang

These suits are like doping. Some say swimming needs this shot in the arm to regain lost attention, but lowering the world marks is a one time thing, and makes current records incomparable with previous. The suits make it a sport for the rich, when swimming should be for everyone. Let's get back to the work ethic that performance is about training hard.
—Guest Jeff Gross

swimming should focus on the individual not the suit. this can discourage some from trying to better themselves, thinking a "super suit" will substitute for practice.
—Guest Tim

This matter of the swim suits has gotten out of hand. FINA has done its worst effort in clarifying this mess. Let's go back to basics.
—Guest JuanMoczo

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