New FINA swim
suit rules come into effect from 1st January 2010.
New FINA bylaws on swimwear with
effect from 01-01-2010 for all competitions except Masters
events.
BL 8 SWIMWEAR
BL 8.1
All FINA approved swimwear to be
used at the Olympic Games and FINA World
Championships must be approved by
FINA at least twelve (12) months prior to the start of the
respective competition. In
addition, it must be available for all competitors by 1st January of the
year of the Olympic Games or FINA
World Championships.
BL 8.2
In swimming competitions the
competitor must wear only one swimsuit in one or two
pieces. No additional items, like
arm bands or leg bands shall be regarded as parts of a swimsuit.
BL 8.3
From January 1st 2010 swimwear
for men shall not extend above the navel nor below
the knee, and for women, shall
not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend
below knee. All swimsuits shall
be made from textile materials.
It should be noted that BL 8.1
relates only to those specified Championships listed in the By-Law.