FINA pressed to settle row over high-tech swimsuits

By Martin Petty

MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Top swimwear manufacturers are up in arms over a new space-age swimsuit its makers say has helped carve chunks off two dozen world records.

Speedo's revolutionary LZR Racer suit has been approved by swimming's world governing body FINA but rival manufacturers on Friday said it breached the sport's rules on several counts, with outlawed materials used to enhance performance.

"It's against the laws of the sport, everyone must follow the rules," Francois Bertonazzi, global export manager for Italian swimwear manufacturer Diana, told Reuters.

"This is risky. If we continue in this direction, swimming will not be swimming anymore, it will be assisted swimming -- a totally different sport."

Twenty-four world records have been set since mid-February by swimmers using the new suit, while scores of others who have worn it have qualified for this year's Olympics in Beijing.

Speedo says the suit, developed with the help of U.S. space agency NASA, aids streamlining, minimizes drag and reduces skin vibration and muscle oscillation.

However, rival manufacturers adidas, Arena and Diana say the multiple layers and use of neoprene aid buoyancy and the suit's rubber panels violate FINA's laws on materials.

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