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Clarification of
new swimsuit rules (9/23/2009)
We have heard your concerns and confusion over the Amendments to
Rule 102.9, regarding allowable swimsuits at USA Swimming
competitions. While the October 1 effective date allows us to both
avoid interrupting our short course season and protects the
integrity of our competitions in the summer of 2010, the
abbreviated timetable has also created some challenges.
Specifically, many of our members have expressed confusion over the
definition of a “textile” suit. While it would be
impossible to provide a complete list of all allowable suits, we
have re-worked the language below in an effort to help provide some
clarity during this interim period. Please note that we expect FINA
will release a comprehensive list of allowable suits in the coming
months. When that list becomes available, USA Swimming will
immediately make the information available.
We appreciate your patience during this interim period.
Until such time as FINA releases their list of approved suits,
the following criteria should be used to determine if a suit is
legal for competition:
1.Swimsuits for men may not extend above the navel or below the
knee and for women may not cover the neck or extend past the
shoulders or below the knee;
2.No zippers or other fastening devices are allowed except for a
waist tie on a brief or jammer; and
3.Suits must be of textile material and must not be made of any
rubberized type of material such as polyurethane or neoprene.
If the suit meets the above three criteria, it should be assumed
to be an approved suit during this interim period. USA
Swimming understands and appreciates the difficulties surrounding
this issue and we are trying to do everything we can to expedite
the FINA list being published. Coaches, officials and
swimmers are urged to use common sense in this matter.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact
Bruce Stratton via e-mail at bruce@strattoncpa.com.
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