Member News from U.S. Masters Swimming

FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) is the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competition in aquatic sports. U.S. Masters Swimming is a member of FINA and agrees to abide by its competition policies in both domestic and international competition. As the sport of swimming continues to evolve, questions regarding technology continues to arise. Kathy Casey, U.S. Masters Swimming Rules Committee Chair has provided the following Q&A to reflect the U.S. Masters Swimming interpretation of the recently posted FINA Dubai Charter.

Question: Can I wear a regular racing suit that is not a body suit?
Answer: Yes, suits introduced prior to September 30, 2007, are legal for competition.

Question: Can I wear my LZR, blueseventy or TYR technical suit at short course nationals in May or long course nationals in August?
Answer: At this point questions about suits (those introduced after September 30, 2007) for nationals cannot be answered because the new list of FINA-approved suits has not been published nor is there a set date for publication of that list by FINA. Until FINA publishes the new list of approved suits, the current status of approved or rejected suits is in effect;therefore, your LZR, blueseventy and TYR technical suit is currently approved for competition until the new FINA list is published. However, should USMS officially receive information that any of currently marketed suits introduced after September 30, 2007, have been rejected by FINA, those suits will no longer be considered legal.

Question: Why can't questions about suits for nationals be answered now?
Answer: According to the Dubai Charter (published by FINA 03/15/09), manufacturers must resubmit their suits for approval by March 31, 2009. The suits will be retested under a new system for buoyancy (no more than 1 Newton), material (no thicker than 1 mm), and construction (no trapping of air), just to mention a few criteria. At the point of publication by FINA of newly approved suits, the questions about legal suits for nationals can be answered.

Question: How will this impact Masters competitors?
Answer: That LZR, TYR or blueseventy technical suit you bought after September 30, 2007, is legal at this moment, but it could be illegal after the new FINA-approved swimsuit list is published. Regardless of the new list, that old Fastskin that you have will be legal since it was introduced prior to September 30, 2007.

Question: My coach is forcing me to swim the 1650 Free as a training swim. Can I wear a drag suit over my jammers?
Answer: No. Although wearing an extra drag suit may not be perceived as having an advantage, FINA guidelines state that only one swimsuit is permitted to be worn in competition.

Question: Does "one suit for competition" mean I can only wear one suit for the whole meet?
Answer: No. You can change suits during the meet, but you can only wear one suit at a time. This restriction applies only to the actual races (competition). You can wear more than one suit during warm-up and warm-down. This restriction applies to all types,
makes, and models of swim suits, but it is not intended to apply to athletic supporters or modesty type wear (a single pair of "briefs" or "bikini bottoms or top" or a sports bra worn to ensure modesty and privacy).

CLICK HERE for a complete explanation of the new U.S. Masters Swimming swimwear interpretation.