Michael Phelps, the 14-time OIympic gold medal winner, is looking forward to the outlawing of swimming supersuits and when "swimming gets back to swimming".
Phelps lost his first major race since 2005 at the World Championships in Rome, coming second to German Paul Biedermann in the 200-metre freestyle final.
Although Phelps wears a swimsuit himself, the Speedo LZR, it is not as technologically advanced as the Arena X-glide suit worn by Biedermann.
The American's coach, Bob Bowman, has claimed that until the swimsuits are officially outlawed, as is expected in April or May next year, Phelps may sit out all competitive swimming.
“The sport is in shambles right now and they better do something or they’re going to lose their guy who fills these seats,” said Bowman. "It has to be implemented immediately.”
But Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the Bejiing Olympics last year, was more guarded than his coach and praised his opponent, and not the swimsuit, for the German's world record time.
He said: "I look forward to racing Biedermann next summer. It will be fun when swimming gets back to swimming.
"I have not been beaten by the swimsuit but by a great athlete."
But Phelps insisted that a solution needs to be found to the issue of swimsuits, and any unfair advantage that a swimmer can gain from them.
"Technology has to go forward but I am looking forward to the time when we can go back to pure swimming," he added.
- Daily Telegraph
