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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – The international body for swimming competitions, FINA, announced new regulations regarding swimwear that is deemed appropriate for the sport. Recently, controversy over the Arena X-Glide swimsuit used by Paul Biedermann in the world championships has forced FINA to rule as to what the limits are for swimwear technology.

Biedermann beat Michael Phelps in the 200 meter freestyle using the Arena X-Glide, a polyurethane swimsuit, while Phelps was wearing a Speedo LZR Razor, a textile suit.

FINA is expected to announce that starting in March of 2010, the only appropriate swimsuit will be a full body wool swimsuit. “We feel that wool is the only way to ensure that the swimmers will be competing at similar levels,” noted FINA spokesperson Andrea Swimmer. “While we expect swim times to become slower, we feel this will address the issue as to whether a swimmer or their suit won a race.”