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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Swimmers debate whether to switch to new suits Associated Press Michael Phelps doesn't plan to experiment with any new suits at next week's U.S. national championships. Other swimmers aren't so confident they should stick with what they've worn in the past. Last week's ruling by the sport's governing body to approve more high-tech suits leaves them with some decisions to make. Dara Torres expects to try different suits and make a "game-time decision." U.S. national team coach Mark Schubert said he would advise swimmers to experiment with various options and choose what they feel most comfortable with. The problem is that for many elite swimmers, their primary income comes from the suit manufacturer sponsoring them -- and they may believe that company no longer makes the fastest suit. "If you do wear what you think is the fastest suit and then you break a contract, it's a very, very delicate, tough situation," Torres said on a conference call Wednesday, adding that other swimmers have talked to her about the dilemma. Phelps told The Associated Press he's sticking with Speedo. "It's the only suit I've ever worn in my life," he said in a phone interview Wednesday. "I'm confident that I have the best suit on, and when I stand up on the block that's what I'm thinking." The introduction of Speedo's NASA-designed LZR Racer suit 16 months ago sparked a flood of world records -- and compelled some swimmers with contracts with other companies to compete in the LZR. Now swimmers are wondering if newer suits by other manufacturers may be even faster. The Jaked 01 and Arena X-Glide suits in particular are generating much buzz -- and both are approved to be used at U.S. nationals after FINA's latest ruling. "Obviously athletes each have their own companies and have a desire to be successful," Schubert said on the conference call. "That puts them in difficult situations. That's one reason we need to roll the suits back so that's less of a factor." Speedo, which sponsors many of the top U.S. swimmers, said Tuesday it was "continuing to evaluate the situation internally." Steve Lochte, father of Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, said his son "made a long-term commitment to Speedo and is going to be loyal to Speedo." But the elder Lochte, a longtime swim coach in Florida, acknowledged the technological arms race could strain even the most loyal endorser. If at world championships later this summer a particular suit is setting records left and right, Ryan will face quite a conundrum. Steve Lochte was taken aback to hear Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber had set the 100-meter backstroke world record earlier in the day. Faber finished seventh at the Beijing Olympics, nearly a second behind gold medalist Aaron Peirsol's world record-setting time -- which Faber broke Wednesday. Of course, Lochte had to ask: What was he wearing? The answer: a Jaked. It's a question that will be posed many more times this summer. "It does take away from some things," Phelps said. "A lot of swimmers are going to put up a lot of great times this summer, and a lot of it is going to be headlined by the suits. I just think it's not fair to other athletes and the athletes out there performing." READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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