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No Bodysuits at U.S. Olympic Trials

Jun 23, 2000

PRESS RELEASE
USA Swimming's Board of Directors voted today to disallow the use of the new body suits at the U.S. Olympic Team Trial for swimming this August. The Board, which is made up of athletes, coaches, officials and other leaders in the sport, voted 16-3 on a conference call to disallow the new suits in the interest of fairness to all competitors at the Trials.

"The Olympic Trials are the most important competition in the United States every four years," said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming's Executive Director. "The issue of fairness to all participants was of paramount importance to the Board.

"FINA's decision in October of 1999 to allow the use of this new technology and the Court of Arbitration for Sport's advisory opinion that reaffirmed FINA's decision were both premised on the availability of the suit to all competitors.

"The Board had a real concern that the suit would not be readily available to all Trials' swimmers in a reasonable amount time prior to the event," Wielgus said. "It was in the best interest of all of our Olympic Trials swimmers to make a final decision now."

The Olympic Team Trials for swimming are Aug. 9-16 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis. Over 1,300 athletes are expected to compete.

USA Swimming will allow its athletes to wear the suits in competition at the Olympic Games.