There are fears next month's world swimming championships will descend into a farce with widespread condemnation of FINA's decision to ignore scientific advice and approve controversial swim suits.

The long and exhaustive process to review the suits has ended with the stunning decision by FINA's executive committee to approve almost every suit, some with minor modifications, against the recommendation of the independent body.

It means Australian sprinter Eamon Sullivan will lose his 50m freestyle world record to France's Frederic Bousquet, but retain the 100m mark as Alain Bernard's Arena X-Glide suit required modification before approval.

But the fact most suits are now approved for the Rome world championships starting July 26 has led to fears choice of swimwear, and not pure athletic performance, will decide medals.

"If Michael Phelps gets pulverised by a second-rung swimmer, that will be a good slap for FINA," said Bernard Moustie, a representative for leading manufacturer Speedo.

Former Australian coach Forbes Carlile says the Rome world titles should be abandoned, and has put the blame for the debacle on all involved in the sport for turning a blind eye to the suits when world records tumbled with ease last year.

"If (they) had bitten the bullet by the end of 2008 and forgotten their's and the manufacturer's financial concerns, all this could have been avoided by FINA," said Carlile.

"The 2009 world swimming championships should be declared abandoned. By failing to speak up there are many in swimming who should hang their heads in shame over this disaster, which they have aided and abetted."

Denis Auguin, coach to Frenchman Bernard, believes eight-times Olympic champion Phelps will be in danger of missing the US team next month if he wears the inferior Speedo LZR he wore in Beijing.

Auguin says while boycotting Rome is impossible, strong action is required by the swimmers themselves.

"It is a complete absurdity," he said. "A boycott is impossible ... it only hurts the athletes. On the other hand perhaps it is time for such extreme measures to show those who govern the sport that swimmers are not pawns."

Australia's head coach Alan Thompson was on the independent panel which recommended to FINA to ban the controversial suits, only to have their scientific advice ignored. Thompson made his feelings known to FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu in a private conversation.

"The whole process of looking to approve these suits has been all but a waste of time," said Thompson.

"Technology is random and there are suits out there that aid performance."

Australian swimmers will be given the opportunity to apply to wear Jaked, Arena or any other of the controversial suits now approved by FINA instead of the team-sponsored Speedo LZR.

Thompson hopes the suit farce doesn't cost Australia medals if they stick with Speedo, but he believes some athletes will choose to change designs for Rome.

"The athletes will choose the suits that they think suits them the best," he said. "We are fortunate with our relationship with Speedo that athletes who think another swimsuit is better than (Speedo LZR) have the opportunity to apply to use that.

"There may be some other people who choose other swim suits. I reckon the vast majority will still use Speedo."

Todd Balym
AAP