The December 22nd, 1999, edition of Triathlon Digest reported the following, in which it referenced the International Triathlon Union's website:

"Here is what the ITU now says, as of December 21:

'As part of the need to standardise equipment, and produce a level playing field for all, ITU has, in consultation with the "powers that be" asked wetsuit manufacturers to submit their suits for approval, according to ITU specifications.

'As you are doubtless aware, some manufacturers in the past produced suits that included accoutrements to both arms and legs that resembled paddles and fins.

'In 2000, only those suits approved by ITU will be allowed in the ITU events. The following manufacturers have complied with the ITU provisions for wetsuit design and are "approved" wet suits for use in ITU events and the Olympic Games Triathlon.

Ironman Stealth LJ
Ironman VO2 Stealth
Speedo: 1999 Full
Speedo: 2000 Full - approval pending
Orca: Predator'"

Wetsuits will be allowed in Sydney for the Olympic triathlon. This decision was made in advance because of the virtual certainty of Sydney's water being significantly colder than the upper threshhold of allowable temperature for wetsuit usage. It was thought that this advance announcement would give athletes and their federations every advantage when deciding on strategies to employ, and even in the determination of who will make each country's Olympic team. In fact, since certain countries--the USA included--will use the early-season Sydney ITU World Cup race as an Olympic qualifier, this race has already been designated wetsuit-legal regardless of temperature, to allow countries to determine whom among their athletes are better wetsuit swimmers. This decision was made in the interest of providing a World Cup race that closely mimics the Olympic event, even though the water temperature for the Sydney World Cup will almost certainly be considerably warmer than during the Olympics.

It is no secret that the ITU brass has historically been against the use of wetsuits if and when at all possible. "I'm not thrilled about wetsuits in Sydney," says ITU General Secretary Mark Sisson. "The stripping down routine has always looked Keystone-koppish to the uninitiated. Having said that, the water will be 16-17 degrees and just too damn cold for our elites with body fat levels of 4 or 5 percent."

This begs the question, why not simply issue a set of guidelines and make sure wetsuit makers conform to them? While the ITU actually has had wetsuit standards, some ITU athletes have complained of wetsuits showing up at some ITU events that stretch the spirit if not the letter of wetsuit law. "I'm sure you can appreciate the need for standards, without which unscrupulous persons could take advantage," said Sisson. "We are considering all wetsuits for submission. Most will be approved, maybe some will not, but this also allows time for adjustments to be made. Yes, you could argue that the "standard as written" should suffice without brand-name approvals, but I think the idea is that this makes everyone aware of what fits the rules and what doesn't - versus having to answer every athlete's question 'is my suit legal?'" Sisson acknowledged that an unscrupulous athlete or wetsuit maker could furnish a non-conforming wetsuit after receiving approval, and said, "...yes, we will continue to inspect onsite for "modifications to manufacturers original configuration."

The common perception derived from the ITU's announcement is that an athlete toeing the line at Sydney for the Olympic triathlon better be wearing a pre-approved wetsuit or face disqualification (or participating in the race sans wetsuit). But this will not be the case. There will be an "approved" list of wetsuits, and there may well be a list of "banned" wetsuits, should such suits prove to be of the construction that employs some sort of fin or paddle element. But these lists are simply, so says Sisson, to aid both the referrees who will have to check fifty wetsuits prior to the race, and the athletes, who want the comfort of knowing that their wetsuit is deemed acceptable. The latest ITU communique does not mean that a wetsuit not on the approved list will be automatically rejected the day of the race. It just means that the athlete will not have the luxury of having his wetsuit pre-approved. It will have to be approved on-site.

The ITU has indicated that wetsuit companies are making fin- or paddle-like devices integral to the wetsuits. Not yet determined is precisely what the ITU technical committe will consider outside the spirit of fair play in wetsuit design. Some companies are using ribbed or furrowed rubber which allegedly may create a greater surface area--or might catch and trap water--for increased pulling power. This idea has been tested in the past and has been demonstrated--according to one wetsuit company--to be actually slower than traditional smooth rubber (because the furrowed rubber actually traps more air than water during the "catch" phase of the stroke). Whether such a technical feature works or not, Slowtwitch does not know precisely what the ITU will approve or disapprove. In that light their offer to pre-approve wetsuits seems to makes sense, since it is certainly better for everyone to have these issues are ironed out six or eight months prior the Olympics.

The ITU also makes clear that their current strategy is not rooted in financial gain. Says Sisson, "No, we are not extracting ANY fees for this." Although the ITU does see the possibility of allowing wetsuit manufacturers to mass-produce wetsuits with an "Approved for use by the ITU," logo, it does not anticipate charging a licensing fee.