体坛英语新闻：Ten high-tech swimsuits rejected in FINA

GENEVA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Swimming's governing body FINA rejected 10 high-tech racing suits and approved 202 others on Tuesday for the world championships in Rome in July.

    FINA said in a statement that its expert panel sent back 136 models to the manufacturers, who have 30 days to resubmit modified designs.

    A total of 18 out of 21 makers who submitted suits for laboratory tests on thickness, buoyancy and water resistance had designs cleared for competition in 2009.

    The approved list did not include polyurethane suits worn by French freestylers Frederick Bousquet and Alain Bernard when they set unofficial world records last month.

    Bousquet wore an Italian Jaked 01 model during the fastest ever men's 50 free, and Bernard wore Arena's X-Glide suit in the men's 100.

    It was not clear if the suits were rejected or need to be modified, as FINA did not identify suits or manufacturers that were not approved by the panel at an emergency meeting on Monday.

    The Jaked 03 design was approved, while Speedo got 12 designs approved in its LZR range worn by the majority of swimmers who set 108 world-record times last year.

    FINA has been criticized for failing to act more quickly to regulate the water-resistant, buoyancy-aiding suits which have helped smash most of swimming's records in the past 15 months.

    FINA appointed experts to try to clarify the rules in a sport where technology has threatened to take center stage from the athletes.

    Suits must be submitted ahead of the championships so they can be tagged before being returned. Swimmers will have their suits verified 20 minutes before a race.