Reader poll: Should high-tech swim suits be banned?

You’ve probably heard about the big controversy in swimming: Thanks to costly high-tech suits, swimmers have been demolishing world records left and right.

Now comes news that high-tech suits have been banned for boys and girls high school swimming. The National Federation of State High School Associations announced its decision Tuesday.

I’m checking in with local prep coaches and athletes to see what they think about the NFHS ruling. Here are two responses I received Wednesday:

“I am glad this rule was adopted. This will keep the … playing field more even. This issue really hasn’t been a problem in Washington State swimming (and will not affect M-P swimmers) as most high school swimmers can not afford the high-tech suits.”
Marysville-Pilchuck High boys swim coach Scott Knowles, via e-mail

“I believe if (Olympic), college and club swimmers can use them, so should high school swimmers. Why be inconsistent?”
Oak Harbor High girls swim coach Erika Miller, via e-mail

Check out this blurb posted by a writer for the Arizona Republic. In light of the NFHS decision, he wonders if an asterisk should be placed next to the Arizona state high school record time swum last year by a boy who used a then-legal high-tech suit. There are some interesting reader comments at the end of the story.

The main gripe about high-tech suits is that they provide extra buoyancy and therefore give swimmers an unfair advantage.

What do you think?