Lochte insists swimmers do not need suits to raise the bar

Dubai: Multiple world record holder Ryan Lochte of America has reiterated that swimmers do not need swimsuits to prove they are good enough to raise the bar in their sport.

"All people were worried about the suits before a race, but now that they are gone, it has gone to prove that the suit does not make the swimmer.

"It is not time to see how the real swimmers really are," Lochte told media at the post-race press conference after winning the men's 200-metre individual medley with a new world record of 1:50.08 at the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Complex on Friday night.

Fina decreed following a meeting in Rome last year that starting from January 1, 2010 international swimmers were required to follow a stringent set of rules concerning usage of swimwear. The world governing body also stipulated design and material to be used for men and women competitors.

Possible feat

"Initially, all were too worried about the suits, but people have been swimming here without them and the Chinese team has also set a new world record and I have done my bit too [with a couple of new world records so far].

"So we have shown that it is possible to break world records without them [the suits]," Lochte added.

The 26-year-old American, who loves to "live life happy and content" with himself, further said that he hoped to assist in the development of the sport.

"The aim is to make a difference for the sport worldwide by giving it all I have. I want to make swimming much bigger," Lochte said.

He admitted that teammate and friend Michael Phelps has changed the face of swimming with his feats in the pool.

"And now I am just trying to do my bit and help out to make swimming bigger," Lochte added.