The world governing body's congress in Rome today voted to amend rule SW10.7 which now reads: "No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition [such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.].

 

 

"Goggles may be worn.

 

"Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted."

 

Previously it had not included the word "swimsuit".

 

The specifics of the rule need to be defined for example to classify buoyancy but it is a significant step towards addressing a situation which is dogging the build-up to the World Championships at the Foro Italico.

 

There have been nearly 200 world records since the introduction of the Speedo LZR suit in February last year.

 

Fina appeared to have addressed the situation when they banned all non-textile suits but they performed a u-turn last month and reinstated them leading to a free for all at the Foro Italico.

 

Suits such as the Speedo LZR - worn by Rebecca Adlington - are 50 per cent textile while the Jaked01, donned by Adlington's rival Federica Pellegrini - are 100 per cent polyurethane.

 

However, today's vote by 103 delegates has brought a solution closer.

 

David Sparkes said: "I think it was just common-sense.

 

"It clarifies the situation.

 

"There is still a bit of detail to be sorted out but it was passed nem con."

 

But Sparkes does not think world records set by swimmers wearing the new suits will be struck from the record books.

 

He said: "I think that is an important detail but I am not sure anything will make of that.

 

"We have been here before and you just have to live with it.

 

"Like when the East Germans were doping.

 

"There are lots of records that have lasted years."

 

Talk of suits has dominated the build-up to next week's pool programme in Italy with Australia head coach Alan Thompson predicting the championships would witness a number of new world records.

 

He said: "I expect every championship record to go and I expect a large number of world records to go as well.

 

"At the start we didn't know where it would go.

 

"By the end of the Olympics we all knew where it was going.

 

"And we should have said that's it.

 

"Now is the line in the sand: it cannot go beyond this week.

 

"Otherwise we'll be be seen as a joke.

 

"The pressure will be there until a decision is made."

 

Tomorrow will see Julio Maglione from Uruguay take over as Fina president from Algeria's Mustapha Larfaoui.

 

The Americans, with Australia's backing, are reportedly set to propose a limit on suit coverage beyond the shoulders and below the knees.