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Alain Bernard Denied 100m World Record Over Arena X-Glide Suit
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by Tina Kells | June 22, 2009 at 08:52 am
13397 views | 3 Recommendations | 5 comments
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Alain Bernard has been denied the world record title in 100m freestyle swimming after making the time in an unapproved swimsuit, the Arena X-Glide. At 46.94 seconds France's Alain Bernard broke the previous world record of 47.05 seconds held by Australia's Eamon Sullivan.
Frédérick Bousquet, who was wearing the unapproved Jaked 01 suit had his world record title approved at the same meeting where the Alain Bernard time was denied.
Alain Bernard's 100m freestyle record set in April, with 46.94 seconds, will not be approved because he was wearing an unapproved swimsuit.
Bernard became the first man to crack the 47 seconds barrier with 46.94 at the French championships but was wearing a swimsuit which had not been approved by FINA.
Eamon Sullivan is once again the official 100m freestyle swimming world record holder. Sullivan set the record on August 13, 2008 at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Alain Bernard broke that record just over one year later on August 23, 2009 at the French Championships in Montpellier, France.
Alain Bernard was wearing the unapproved Arena X-Glide swimsuit at the time of his record breaking swim and his time of 46.94 seconds has been removed from the world record rankings.
The announcement that Alain Bernard had been denied a world record title came as Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) announced that it would now allow a modified version of the Arena X-Glide in future meets. The exact type of Arena X-Glide swimsuit worn by Bernard was not approved.
Controversial new swimsuits whose users have broken a string of world records were approved on Monday by swimming's world governing body FINA.
Alarmed by more than 100 world records in the past 18 months, most from swimmers wearing new technology suits, FINA had decided to reassess the standards.
The new list also approved modified versions of the Arena X-Glide, the polyurethane suit worn by Alain Bernard when he set the showcase 100m freestyle record last month and became the first man to crack the 47 seconds barrier with 46.94 at the April French championships.
The Executive approved the swimsuits as per attached list...
Arena Italia S.p.A. Powerskin X–Glide Modified full Powerskin X–Glide Modified full Powerskin X–Glide Modified full Powerskin X-Glide Modified full Powerskin X-Glide Modified full Powerskin X-Glide Modified pants- long
Alain Bernard is not the only swimmer to have his world record title put in jeopardy by wearing a swimsuit that had not been approved by FINA. Frédérick Bousquet broke the 50m freestyle world record wearing a Jaked 01 that was not approved at the time of his race.
The Jaked 01 is not on the FINA list of approved swimsuits but an identical model called the Jaked 03 is listed. Frédérick Bousquet has had his world record time of 20.94 seconds approved.
The Executive approved the swimsuits as per attached list...
Jaked SRL J03 full J03 pants - long
FINA statement on the revised list of approved swimsuits for the 2010 World Championships in Rome.
To secure a level-playing field, the swimsuits approved will be available to all swimmers at the World Championships in Rome.
The approved swimsuits will be labelled and will be checked in Rome prior to competition.
The rules regarding shape, use of only one swimsuit and no taping will be strictly applied and controlled in the first call room.
FINA will continue the process of controlling the evolution of swimsuits and will issue new rules including new criteria for 2010.
See the Full List of FINA Approved Swimsuits as of June 22, 2009
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 15:23 on June 22nd, 2009
It is unfortunate that he was stripped of his world record, but the suit was not approved, and he should not have worn it. So, he really just has himself to blame.
at 09:07 on June 23rd, 2009
You'd think that they would have figured out a long time ago that just a speedo and shaved skin should be the maximum allowed..... Kind of a no brainer!
at 12:05 on July 11th, 2009
Wow.............. what an aretard. Why would you wear an unapproved suit??
at 15:57 on July 28th, 2009
I wonder with things like this if it would have made any difference. Like what kind of people did he swim against that may just be bitter and sore losers that they try to come up with some excuse to make the winner really lose.
at 16:03 on July 28th, 2009
Now that i think about it some more.... is this dude just wearing the suit for advertisement/ money purposes???