Spots for some of the most keenly fought positions could take weeks to decide if competitors who don't use the full length suits complain that they didn't make it for that reason alone. Olympics reporter, Kevin Wilde. The pressure on Australian swimmers ahead of next week's Olympic selection trials was already high and after today they will have to decide if they should risk wearing a full length suit. President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, wanted to remove the risk by asking the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS, to rule on the legality of the outfits. It has, but in upholding the rights of world swimming's governing body FINA to allow the suits, it has left open the small possibility of an appeal.
Confusion remains and in the case of a few swimmers at least, distress.
Not just about getting into the team in the first place, but whether a Gold, Silver or Bronze Olympic Medal performance will be challenged legally just because a neck to ankle suit was worn. John Coates says he never wanted this to occur. There is a real risk now for the swimmers and for Australian swimming. We were going to receive progressively the nominations from Australian swimming and make an announcement late on Saturday afternoon, the 20th. We now will let, I hope, just 48 hours lapse or, if there is an appeal then I hope that we could quarantine it just as a particular position that's being appealed.