NOTICE TO ALL U. S. MASTERS SWIMMING MEMBERS
In light of new swimsuit testing and approval being conducted by FINA
according to its recent "Dubai Charter", the following is U.S. Masters
Swimming's official interpretation of Swimwear rule 102.14:
#1. NEW U.S.M.S. SWIMWEAR INTERPRETATION
FINA approval or rejection of new swimwear introduced after September 30,
2007, will be accepted by U.S. Masters Swimming for U.S.M.S. sanctioned and
recognized competition.
The following interpretation regarding the use of two suits during
competition is effective immediately. This interpretation conforms to the
recent interpretations issued by FINA (03/15/09) and USA Swimming
(03/18/09).
#2. NEW U.S.M.S. SWIMWEAR INTERPRETATION
For purposes of Article 102.14 of U.S. Masters Swimming Rules of
Competition, Swimwear, the use of more than one suit at a time during any
U.S.M.S. sanctioned or recognized competition is prohibited.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. 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
U.S.M.S. competition.
2. Question: Can I wear my LZR at nationals in May?
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 is currently approved for competition until the
new FINA list is published. However, should U.S.M.S. 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.
3. 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.
4. Question: How will this impact Masters competitors?
Answer: That LZR, TYR, or Blueseventy 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.
5. 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, the interpretation is that only one swimsuit is
permitted.
6. 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).
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Kathy Casey, Chair,
U.S. Masters Swimming Rules Committee