In the first rejection of suits submitted for 2010 approval, the panel of experts testing and reviewing suits before advising FINA as to whether new rules that forbid any apparel that "may aid speed, buoyancy or endurance" has sent some suits, including adidas apparel, back for a revamp in the fitting room.

Up until now, adidas, one of the biggest sports brands in the world across all sports, has not had its 2010 line approved. One of the key problems in the jammers was "too much material in the groin area", according to a SwimNews source. The panel of scientific experts, led by Prof Jan-Anders Manson of the Swiss Institute of technology in Lausanne, advises the FINA executive of any reasons to reject suits sent in for approval. 

It is believed that issues of thickness, and therefore performance-enhancement through buoyancy, were at the heart of the decision to return the new adidas suit to its maker for re-sewing, for want of a better term. Adidas "won't have any problems in adjusting its equipment", the source said.

Asked if there were other first-flush 2010 suits that were rejected the official told SwimNews: "You just have to look at what's missing from the approved list to find the answer. There were a few, I've heard." Here is that list. Meanwhile, swimmers have confirmed to SwimNews that they have raced in equipment that has not yet been approved for use, an issue that highlights the rub between what FINA rules demand and how suit makers behave, sometimes out of necessity, as suits need to be handed out to athletes for testing before final models are sent for mass production (sometimes out of commercial drive that leads to advertisements promoting suits in words that clearly indicate that the apparel breaks FINA rules).

The news that suits have been sent back for reworking is confirmation that Prof Manson and his panel of experts is indeed making recommendations to the FINA executive and that their advice if being treated seriously. Some experts still believe that having material cover over the thighs and down to the knees is a problem, particularly when the Rule SW10.7  states "may aid". 

It is believed that the issue of material cover down to the knee has been brought to the attention of the panel of scientific experts, though no official view has yet been taken on the issue. While further cut backs are considered by some, others would like to see a return to full leggings and even tops for men. 

That is highly unlikely to happen any time soon, if the honour of the FINA President is to be preserved. Julio Maglione, the man at the helm of world swimming, has gone on record several times this year to pledge that under his presidency, "the will of Congress in Rome will be honoured throughout my term". Until 2013, at the earliest, that means a "may aid" rule that  specifically cites swim suits and a ban ON bodysuits and return to textile-only suits with no cover on arms, shoulders and calves and open backs for women's apparel void of zippers of fasteners.

By the time 2013 Congress rolls round, the world will have swum through an Olympic Games, a world l/c championships, two world s/c championships and countless continental, regional and national events, and the sport of swimming will have settled back into being the technique-based sport that thrilled the wider world for 100 years and more before polyurethane was a twinkle in the eye of those who helped to turn swimming into an equipment-based sport in 2008 and 2009.