Byron - it wasn't so much the 2008 Olympics that led to the banning of the new suits - some 19 world records were set there, but 7 of those were entirely or partially (relays) by the amazing Michael Phelps (a young man I've had the pleasure of meeting personally). What happened was that a bunch of new suit companies entered the market on a world-wide scale and tried to 'out-do' each other as the fastest, slickest, etc. Fabrics became rubberized, in direct violation of the rules forbidding anything that aids in flotation. The following year, at the 2009 World Swim Championships in Rome, virtually everyone (except Phelps, who lost to Biederman in the 200 free who wore a now-illegal suit) was wearing the new suits, and world records were falling every few minutes as one heat swam faster than the previous heat. 43 new world records were set. Swimmers who previously ranked 5th or 7th in the world suddenly set a world record, only to lose it a few minutes later. The situation was absurd, and FINA belatedly created new requirements (textile suits only, nothing below the knees or above the navel for men). Any world records set in London this summer will truly be amazing accomplishments.
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