FINA has ended a year that has witnessed a bloated 108 world records with good news: a statement confirming its commitment to listening to all parties with a serious ear and to resolving the issue of suit technology and its impact on the sport. The international federation's last statement of the year sends a message of hope at just the right time of year: not only is it not too late to save the sport from going further down the wrong path, but those who sit at the controls are genuinely working to find a resolution that will provide swimming with a new start in 2009. It starts with the words "as previously announced" - but not in quite such clear and open terms has it expressed its commitment to including at its February meeting in Lausanne "the swimwear manufacturers AND the representatives of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee as well as FINA Athletes, Coaches and Legal Commissions." Bravo FINA!

Here is the statement from Lausanne - which will doubtless be welcomed by all who have at heart the interests of fair play, natural talent, hard and smart work and abhor the skewed result of suits that affect different swimmers in different ways and provide props where nature does.

FINA information on the update of the swimwear approval procedures

Lausanne (SUI), December 22, 2008 – As previously announced, FINA is in the process of reviewing the procedures for swimwear approval, namely in the areas of the swimsuits’ material, thickness, use, shape and availability. For that, FINA has scheduled a meeting in Lausanne on February 20, 2009 inviting the swimwear manufacturers and the representatives of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee as well as FINA Athletes, Coaches and Legal Commissions.

On this occasion, an objective analysis of the issues which have recently been raised will be made and eventual solutions for the future will be studied.

To support the development and possible implementation of these solutions, FINA will rely on independent experts of high reputation.

After the outcome of the above mentioned meeting and if any scientific reports are available, FINA will then bring these conclusions to its Bureau meeting, to be held from March 12-14, 2009 in Dubai (UAE), in order to take appropriate action on this matter.

FINA underlines that the issue of swimwear approval is a complex one and needs to be considered in a careful manner. That is why FINA is looking for the collaboration of all the partners in this area, so that final decisions can be globally accepted and fully understandable by the Swimming worldwide community.

End of statement. 

Harmony is on the horizon - hope reigns.