ROME - Manufacturers trying to match Speedo's record-breaking swimsuit have been given a new chance to get their products approved before the Olympics.
Swimming governing body FINA has set a meeting for June 3 in Lausanne, Switzerland, to approve new suits.
"We have approval meetings every three months, but we are having a special meeting June 3 for those manufacturers that have not yet submitted suits, so they have time to produce them before the Olympics," FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told The Associated Press on Friday.
Details regarding the June 3 meeting were sent to manufacturers on Thursday.
The final chance for new suits to be approved before the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games will come with the regularly scheduled meeting June 30.
Since the Speedo LZR Racer's unveiling in mid-February, swimmers wearing the suit have set 37 world records and rekindled the debate over whether technology has too much influence over the sport.
Italy coach Alberto Castagnetti has suggested that the LZR suit amounts to "technological doping," and American manufacturer TYR Sport sued Speedo on Thursday, alleging the company of conspiring with the U.S. swimming federation to stifle competition and lure top American athletes away from other firms.
FINA has consistently upheld the legality of Speedo's space-age design, which was developed with the help of NASA.
Italian manufacturers Arena and Diana said they would have new suits ready for the June 3 review.
"We've done several tests and have had good results, but it's a very delicate process, said Arena global marketing director Giuseppe Musciacchio.
Arena sponsors the Italian team, including standout Filippo Magnini, as well as French star Laure Manaudou.
Diana outfits Oleg Lisogor of Ukraine.
"Our new suit is ready. We're just doing the final tests. It will be distributed to our top athletes soon," Diana Area manager Francois Bertonazzi said. "If Speedo's was approved, there's no reason why ours won't be."
Nike is also expected to submit a new suit for approval.
Marculescu said that FINA recently rejected a suit from an Austrian manufacturer that was new to swimming, although he wouldn't name the company.
"They didn't know the rules, and we explained them so they could go back and try again," he said.
PREVIOUS
