http://www.startribune.co...Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsTROME - No bodysuit ban, no Michael Phelps.
That was the essence of what the Olympic great's coach said Tuesday after swimming's governing body confirmed bodysuits will be outlawed next year. The rule will not take effect until April or May, later than expected.
Bob Bowman spoke after Phelps lost a major race for the first time since 2005. He was beaten by a relative unknown wearing a suit that will be barred next year. Bowman said FINA should have banned bodysuits before these world championships because the value of world records was diminishing.
"Probably expect Michael not to swim until they are implemented," Bowman said. "I'm done with this. It has to be implemented immediately. The sport is in shambles right now and they better do something or they're going to lose their guy who fills these seats
Phelps was upset by Paul Biedermann of Germany in the 200-meter freestyle final. Biedermann wore a 100 percent polyurethane Arena suit, while Phelps stuck with last year's LZR Racer from Speedo because of contract obligations.
"It took Michael from 2003 to 2008 to go from 1:46 to 1:42.9 and this guy's done it in 11 months. That's an amazing training program. I would love to know how that works."
Of course if he didn't have the Speedo contract he'd be wearing one of the new suits. Oh yeah...his coach didn't seem to have a problem last year when the Speedo suit was state of the art and not everyone was wearing it.
