High-tech costumes to be discussed

Restrictions could be placed on the use of the suits that have helped swimmers break world records at an incredible rate.

The majority of gold medalists and record breakers at the Beijing Olympics wore costumes that covered most of their skin.

General comparisons between performances with and without the suits suggest they make swimmers 2 per cent faster and they have already contributed to 89 world records since February.

Several reasons have been suggested for the increased performance. It is claimed the suits give swimmers an advantage by compressing their muscles to reduce fatigue and they may improve buoyancy, which is banned by the rules of competition laid down by swimming's international governing body Fina.

In America, swimming authorities have tried to limit the use of the costumes to elite swimmers by banning them for all competitors under the age of 12.

Each costume costs hundreds of pounds so there are concerns that swimmers from wealthy families have an advantage.

After months of speculation, Fina has decided to discuss the costumes and they are likely to limit the thickness of the material they use and introduce a standard test for buoyancy.

Fina is also considering new swimming events for the 2012 Olympics in London.

They could introduce 50 metre sprints for butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke, 800 metres freestyle for men and 1,500 metres freestyle for women.

The water polo and synchronised swimming competitions could be expended from eight teams each to 12 but Fina's executive director Cornel Marculescu has denied suggestions that a 5,000 metre marathon and a team marathon are under consideration.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.