MANCHESTER, England _ Now that Speedo's record-breaking suit has been backed twice in one week by swimming's world governing body, it's time for some athletes to start making tough choices.
Risk entering the pool in Beijing in four months with a swimsuit that might be as much as two percent slower than the competition, or break with your long-standing sponsor to go for Olympic gold in Speedo's LZR Racer?
South Africa captain Gerhard Zandberg, who is sponsored by Arena, has already made up his mind.
"I'm going to wear the Speedo at the Olympics," Zandberg told The Associated Press on Saturday at the short-course world championships. "I'm not going to sacrifice performance. I'll be fined euro3,000 ($4,750), but what's euro3,000?"
Olympic gold is obviously worth much more.
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) met with manufacturers on Saturday with the stated intent to review future approval of new suits. It turned into a debate purely about the suit that has taken over the record books in less than two months.
There have been 19 long-course world marks set since Speedo's LZR Racer suit was introduced in February. Twelve additional world marks have been established through three days at these championships. All but one of the records have come with swimmers wearing the LZR.
Zandberg wore an Arena suit when he set a personal best in the 50 breaststroke semifinals Saturday. He clarified that he would continue wearing Arena if the Italian manufacturer comes out with a suit that competes with Speedo's.
"If that's the case, I'll wear Arena for sure," he said.
Filippo Magnini, the two-time world champion in the 100 freestyle, is one of the top swimmers sponsored by Arena. He tested a new Arena prototype suit Saturday and may use it in the 100 final Sunday.
If Arena's new suit is still slower, he hasn't made up his mind yet about the possibility of switching suits.
"'Ifs ands or buts' don't go anywhere," Magnini said. "We'll see. The (Speedo) helps a lot. We've got to get something similar. We all have to have the same conditions, and if FINA doesn't (regulate) it, the athletes will do it ourselves."
Arena is a chief sponsor of the Italian team.
"I don't think any federation can force anyone to wear a certain suit," Magnini said.
Other swimmers who may be rethinking their options include four prominent Americans sponsored by Nike _ Brendan Hansen, Aaron Piersol, Jason Lezak and Kaitlin Sandeno. U.S. head coach Mark Schubert has said he will tell every swimmer on his team to wear a Speedo at the U.S. trials.
