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Fast-suits: Australia Will Not Advance Unfair
Dec 19, 2008 - Craig Lord
The debate about whether fast suits have caused a problem in swimming is truly over: Australia has thrown its weight behind moves in the USA and Europe to have suit fabrics and the suits approval process overhauled in the interests of fair play at the end of a year in which hi-tech bodysuits have, in the sage words of former US head coach Dennis Pursley, crossed the line from "maximising performance to enhancing performance".
In its statement today, Swimming Australia Limited calls for a moratorium on new suits approvals with immediate effect and confirms: "After long debate and input from SAL's High Performance Unit and other stakeholders our board unanimously agreed that FINA's swimsuit approval process needs to undergo an immediate review, in particular in relation to fabrics and the manufacturing of swimsuits. Australia supports other member federations and members of the international swimming community in this endeavour."
Like others, Australia is prepared to wait for FINA to show wisdom next year and adopt new rules fit to end the chaos that now reigns in the pool. It is not prepared to wait any longer, however, where junior swimming is concerned.
And this - the new rules for youth in Australia from April - is a model that may well work well for seniors too:
Pretty astute that zipper call. Can't get a compression garment on without a fastener of some sorts.
In a statement that cites the efforts of veteran coach and sports science pioneer Forbes Carlile, the federation representing the world's No2 swim nation and only country capable on its own of getting close to taking on the might of the USA in a head-to-head, noted:
"SAL has received feedback and comments from numerous stakeholders regarding this subject in the past few months and felt it had to make a stance on its age group swimmers for the true advancement of the sport.
"The future of swimming is about the swimmers, not about the swim suits. We believe swimmers and coaches at an age level should concentrate on getting the best coaching and training for the athletes and not the best swim suits.
"The focus has to be on good methodology, stroke technique, proper training, instruction, nutrition and good preparation for our age group athletes to make the step into our elite senior teams.
"Australia, under Leigh Nugent's guidance, has developed the best age group development program in the world - we are the envy of the other federations and that will always remain our focus
"We certainly have not taken this issue lightly and believe it is a decision for the betterment of our sport long term."
THE STATEMENT IN FULL:
SWIMMING AUSTRALIA STATEMENT RE SWIMSUITS
Swimming Australia wants FINA to cease approval of any further swimsuits, ban the use of "multi-layer" swimsuits in competition and has today announced its own modifications to "Competition Swimwear By-Laws" for age group swimmers.
The decisions come after lengthy discussion by the SAL board and following world wide discussion and debate in recent times regarding swimsuit advancements and their impact on swimmer performance. Swimming Australia's president and respected former international coach David Urquhart said SAL would request that world governing body FINA cease approval of any new swim suits immediately and request that the rules be amended so swimmers can only wear one swimsuit.
Mr Urquhart said Australia would support other members of the international swimming community to have the suit approval process reviewed in relation to fabrics and suit manufacture.
"After long debate and input from SAL's High Performance Unit and other stakeholders our board unanimously agreed that FINA's swimsuit approval process needs to undergo an immediate review, in particular in relation to fabrics and the manufacturing of swimsuits," Mr Urquhart said.
"Australia supports other member federations and members of the international swimming community in this endeavour."
Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) president and Olympic team coach Rohan Taylor welcomed the decisions saying: "Since September ASCTA has been proactive in seeking the best possible outcome and has worked with its board and SAL to ensure this has happened.
"ASCTA has closely followed mounting evidence, scientific research and information provided by industry leaders such as Forbes Carlile.
"It has not been a simple process but now that the dust has settled after the Olympics, ASCTA is committed to join this united front to make sure that FINA gets a clear understanding of where Australia stands and that has certainly happened."
The modification to SAL's "Competition Swimwear By-Laws" for age group swimmers follows recommendations to the SAL Board from a select 10-member committee which included Australia's National Head Coach Alan Thompson, its National Youth Coach Leigh Nugent and triple Olympian Adam Pine.
The group also included representation from the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) and the Australian Swimmers Association (ASA).
The modification - effective from April 1 2009 is:
Mr Urquhart said the recommendation for the modification to the "Competition Swimwear By-Laws" from the select committee had also been unanimously agreed by the Board.
"SAL, ASA and ASCTA have been monitoring the advancements made in swimsuit design and their impact on the sport over the past few years at an age group level," Mr Urquhart said. "We all agree this modification is in the interest of equal opportunity, fair and equitable competition and to prevent the deterioration of swimming skill development.
"There has been much discussion and debate in recent times both domestically and internationally regarding swimsuit advancements and their impact on swimmer performance. "SAL has received feedback and comments from numerous stakeholders regarding this subject in the past few months and felt it had to make a stance on its age group swimmers for the true advancement of the sport.
"The future of swimming is about the swimmers, not about the swim suits. We believe swimmers and coaches at an age level should concentrate on getting the best coaching and training for the athletes and not the best swim suits. "The focus has to be on good methodology, stroke technique, proper training, instruction, nutrition and good preparation for our age group athletes to make the step into our elite senior teams.
"Australia, under Leigh Nugent's guidance, has developed the best age group development program in the world - we are the envy of the other federations and that will always remain our focus "We certainly have not taken this issue lightly and believe it is a decision for the betterment of our sport long term."
END OF STATEMENT
It took Australia a while to get there - but get there it did, and its stand leaves no-one in any doubt that the opposition to a status quo on suits is now a majority. The debate over whether current technologies are good for the sport is over. The verdict is: no, a line has been crossed, the swimmer and the work the swimmer does with a coach is no longer as paramount as it should be, the suits are helping too much. The debate now shifts fully to what is to be done - in time for Rome 2009.
