FINA approves proposal to ban advanced swimsuits in 2010

ROME, July 28 (USA TODAY) — It's official: Soon, the world's best swimmers will have to dress like it's 1999.

But FINA, swimming's international governing body, couldn't say how soon while making the announcement Tuesday. That has some swimming officials and coaches concerned the swimsuit controversy that has rendered this week's world championships a farce might not be fixed fast enough.

"The mess needs to be stopped right now," said Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps' coach. "This can't go on any further."

FINA held off on setting a date to implement the new swimsuit regulations, saying it needed to give a panel of scientists enough time to define the parameters and manufacturers enough time to adjust. That could push the hoped-for Jan. 1, 2010 start date back several months and throw competitions such as U.S.-based Grand Prix meets into the same disarray as worlds.

"As the old saying goes, we will not know where we are going until we arrive there, but even then we may not know where we are," said Steve Furniss, founder of suit manufacturer Tyr.

Bowman said he won't enter Phelps in any more meets until the rules are in place.

"He chooses what's right for me and what's right for my training," Phelps said when asked whether he was in agreement with Bowman's statement. "That's his decision."

Asked whether he thought that might force FINA's hand, Australian head coach Alan Thompson said: "Well, you know the people with the greatest amount of leverage are the athletes. Us coaches have been bashing our heads against brick walls for a very long time."