FINA set to ban hi-tech swimsuits

ROME, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Swimming ruling body FINA confirmed on Tuesday that the high-tech swimsuits that have helped bring down a dozen world records at the world championships will be banned from next year.

"The material can only be textile fabric," FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told a news conference.

"The shape (of the costume) -- for men it shall not extend above the naval or below the knee. For women it shall not extend above the neck, beyond the shoulders or below the knee."