If you’re a competitive swimmer you’re probably familiar with the black and white tick logo of FINA-approved swimwear. The FINA logo on your racing swimsuits is a seal of approval that it has been endorsed by the governing body of swimming and can be worn in any FINA- affiliated competition.
You may recognise the logo, but do you know FINA goes about the process of approving swimwear for competition?
To gain approval by FINA, the swimwear must go through a strict audit process governed by pages of guidelines and specifications. In essence, these rules are designed to make sure human performance and ability are not unfairly augmented or enhanced by the technology used in the development of swimwear.
FINA looks for three key areas in the swimsuit – design, material and construction. FINA has separate rules for poolcompetitions and open water competitions, and alsoopen water competition where the temperature is above 18°Corbelow 20°C and wetsuits are required.
Conditions above 18°C
Design
Decency and surface covered are the two crucial factors that fall under design.
With respect to decency, the swimsuit you wear should not be offensive, particularly in relation to the cut of costume and reasonable exposure of the body.
In relation to surface coverage, for pool swimming competitions men’s swimsuit must not extend above the navel and below the knee while women’s swimwear should not cover the neck or extend past the shoulder or below the knee.
For open water swimming competitions, men’s and women’s swimsuits must not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder or extend below the ankle. Swim trunks for men are perfect for open water competitions.
Manufacturing material
Only textiles can be used for racing swimsuits. However, certain materials can be added to the surface such aswaterproof coating. The fabric used to make a swimsuit must not put the health of the swimmer at risk and it should be flexible and soft folding.
Construction
Zippers or any other fastening systems are not permitted. The seam is limited to functional systems and must not create external shapes that aid performance. Swimsuits must not include any external stimulation like pain reductionor release of medical substances.
Open water swimming competition below 20°C
Design
Wetsuits must completely cover the torso, back, shoulders, and knees, and they should not extend beyond the neck, wrists, and ankles.
Composition
Both mens’ and womens’ wetsuits must be one piece.
Manufacturing material
The fabric used for wetsuits should have thermal insulation properties. The material can be multilayered, with water repellent layers. However, the material cannot contain injected gas. Material without insulating properties cannot be used.
Construction
Zippers and other fastening systems are allowed without limitations but they must be functional.
Final FINA approval is assumes thatthe competitive swimwearused in competitioniscompletely consistent with the models and the samples submitted to FINA at the time of approval.
