CHICAGO — High-tech polyurethane swimsuits that have fueled a tidal wave of world records will be banned in US racing from October, USA Swimming announced Saturday. Delegates at USA Swimming’s annual convention voted “overwhelmingly” to implement the ban in events sanctioned by the American governing body, three months before a similar ban is slated to go into effect worldwide.

“All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials,” according to the rules voted on at the convention. “For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knees, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knee.”

Textile fabric is defined as material that is woven or knit.

FINA, world swimming’s governing body, has vowed similar legislation will go into effect on January 1.

“With Saturday’s vote, our membership has sent a clear message that it wanted this action taken sooner, rather than later,” said USA Swimming Executive Director chuck Weilgus. “We hope that this action will put the emphasis back where it belongs – on our athletes, their training and hard work.”

FINA announced during the world championships in Rome in July – where 43 world records fell – that the suits would be banned, but not before dithering yet again over the date of implementation.

Critics say the suits made of plolyurethane and other polymers offer unacceptable performance enhancing properties. This could be a problem for the other swimming sports (like Finswimming) where these swimsuits are allowed, because it will be probable that factories will build’em no more…Maybe we should adapt too?

(ANSA) – CHICAGO, 20 SET – Negli Stati Uniti, dal prossimo mese di ottobre, saranno vietate tutte le combinazioni di poliuretano per i costumi per il nuoto. Lo comunica la federazione statunitense i cui delegati hanno votato il provvedimento ‘a larga maggioranza’. ‘Tutte le combinazioni devono essere in materiali tessili’, specifica l’assemblea generale, che si uniforma in questo modo al nuovo regolamento varato dalla Federazione internazionale del nuoto che entrera’ in vigore il primo gennaio 2010. In più i costumi non dovranno superare il ginocchio. Questo potrebbe diventare un problema per gli sport natatori che continuerebbero ad utilizzarli, in quanto non è probabile che le ditte principali lo produrranno ancora in futuro…dovremmo adeguarci anche noi quindi?

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