Rule 3-3-2, page 20 in 2009-10 Swimming & Diving Rules Book
New ART.
2…Suits worn by swimmers shall be limited to the following requirements:
a. only
one swimsuit shall be permitted in competition. (A swimmer with special needs may request
customization through his/her school to the state association.)
b. the
swimsuit shall be:
1. constructed
of a woven/knit textile material;
2. permeable
(100 percent to air and water);
3. made
so as not to aid in buoyancy and shall not be altered to aid in buoyancy;
4. made
with no zippers or other fastening system other than a waist tie for a brief
or jammer and elastic material within the casing/ribbing in the terminal
ends (straps, leg openings, and waist openings); and
5. constructed
so that the style/shape of the suit for males shall not extend above the waist
nor below the top of the kneecap and for females shall not extend beyond the
shoulders nor below the top of the kneecap, nor cover the neck.
Penalty
(For ART. 2): When an official discovers a competitor wearing an illegal
swimsuit by the wearing of two suits or a suit which is of an illegal
construction, the official shall:
1. when
reporting prior to the start of the heat, notify the competitor to make legal
the swimsuit before becoming eligible to compete. If the competitor cannot
comply without delaying the start of the heat, the competitor is disqualified
from that event and shall not be eligible for further competition until in a
legal swimsuit.
2.
when the competitor has stepped up on the starting platform but prior to the
starting device being activated, direct the competitor to “Step down,”
disqualify the competitor from that event and he/she shall not be eligible for
further competition until in a legal swimsuit;
3.
when the starting device has been activated, disqualify the competitor at the
completion of the heat; nullify the competitor’s performance time and he/she
shall not be eligible for further competition until in a legal swimsuit.
Rationale: Technical swimsuits were introduced
to the world of swimming approximately two years ago. The advanced technology fundamentally altered
the sport, and swimwear became more of a piece of equipment as opposed to a
uniform. The rules of swimming have
always prohibited the wearing or use of an item that would aid in the swimmer’s
speed or buoyancy. The technical suits
have evolved with little or no regard for these basic rules. In order to preserve the integrity, tradition
and heritage of the sport, as well as protect and enhance the interscholastic
swimming program, the new requirements and restrictions on swimwear are
necessary to promote the educational values of high school athletics by
promoting fair play. The immediate
implementation date will guarantee fairness in competition throughout the high
school swimming seasons and allow the meet officials to fairly and consistently
enforce the rule.