Britain’s Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has announced a progressive new rule allowing women to compete wearing burkinis, a swimsuit style wore by women seeking full-body coverage, often for religious and sometimes to hide pre-existing medical conditions. The modification to the rule is essentially a relaxation of Regulation 411, which in the ASA stipulates the amount of coverage allowed by a competitive swimsuit. Following the adoption of the nuance, the ASA regulation now reads:
- Suits shall be made of a textile material as per the current FINA Rules.
- There is no limit to how many pieces the suit is made up from (i.e. “Trousers/bottoms”, top and head covering).
- Suits which the referee believes would be capable of enhancing a swimmers performance will not be permitted.
- Swimmers wishing to swim in such a suit shall (either themselves or their representative) present the suit to the event referee for inspection prior to their swim.
- The referee’s decision shall be final.
Allowing swimmers to wear more conservative suits is not a means of walking back on the FINA regulations that banned the full-body polyurethane suits that caused such a commotion in 2009, since any additional coverage a burkini might provide must not enhance a swimmer’s performance and must be approved by a FINA official before competition.
The ASA is Britain’s national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and synchronized swimming. Founded in 1869, the ASA is the oldest governing body for the sport of swimming in the world. In addition to organizing competitions for athletes of every skill level, the ASA also provides learn to swim programs for people of all ages. The ASA aims to support all swimmers and aquatics enthusiasts in Britain by bringing every swimmer to a club team, and works with organizers representing participants from grass-roots up to national and elite levels.
Chris Bostock, Chairman of the ASA Sport Governing Board, said: “This is a very positive step forward for competitive swimming in England and one that we hope will encourage many more people to take part.” Also, “We want everyone to be able to reach their potential. Representing your Club at a national swimming competition is very special. By changing these rules we hope to encourage a new generation of swimmers.”
Inclusion is the primary purpose of the modification, which was requested by the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF). Rimla Akhtar of the MWSF voiced her support for the rule change, saying “Participation in sport amongst Muslim women is increasing at a rapid pace. It is imperative that governing bodies adapt and tailor their offerings to suit the changing landscape of sport, including those who access their sport.”
Akhtar continued: “The MWSF is glad to have requested a review of competition laws in relation to full body suits by the ASA and are extremely pleased at the outcome…. We thank the ASA for their leadership in this matter. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that this ruling is also adopted at the elite level both nationally and internationally.”
The rule is already in effect and applies to all levels of ASA licensed meets (1, 2, 3 and 4) and ASA National Events. This means that British World Championship and Olympic Trials competitions could now feature female competitors dressed in full-body and multi-piece suits. With a more varied pool of competitors, Britain’s international teams might also become more diverse as immigrants and refugees gain British citizenship between now and future competition.
Given the nature of swimming, particularly pool swimming, athletes wearing burkinis will nonetheless compete at a disadvantage as they will be swimming with considerably more drag. Most likely, the most successful athletes that choose to wear a burkini will likely come in one of the other aquatic disciplines where drag is not as much of a hindrance. Regardless, the ASA has taken a major step in opening swimming to athletes that otherwise might not be able to compete due to their religious and cultural beliefs, or self-consciousness because of a medical condition.
The rule change could also have broader implications, and if an athlete wearing such a suit is selected for an international competition, FINA itself might be forced to make a ruling on the matter, either approving, disapproving, or altering the ASA modifications. However, given FINA’s permission to allow the ASA to support athletes that choose to compete in more conservative attire, it seems possible that FINA could draft a similar rule of its own. Were FINA to do so, upcoming Olympic and World Championship competitions could include female swimmers from countries that previously never sent them, a move which would be highly conducive to the Olympic Movement.
I Stan Britain for this decision let women follow their dreams and have their freedom
As a woman I find the Muslim treatment of women a human rights violation, sad and disgusting. The excuse of “religious” belief in their treatment of women is unsatisfactory. Honor killings, stonings for “framed infidelities” or easy divorce, lack of education for girls and of course the use of burqas are a horror. IMO By perpetuating the cloaking of women in burkinis the British ASA are saying it is OK to cloak women—when it is not. Women are not chattel and the way the Muslim religion treats women should be addressed by the United Nations.
for disabled athletes the sport must make a reasonable accommodation to allow participation. I think its a law now and you can be sued if you don’t follow this. Its not a stretch to see the courts allow this same standard based on religious grounds. There is a also a caveat that the accommodation not endanger the safety of any of the participants so I don’t know if swimming with a burkini would be allowed
You know they won’t have to worry about what USAS thinks about this. Because they don’t have the balls to enforce their own rules much less anyone else’s.
I’m all for inclusivity but, we have got to draw the line somewhere. And I personally think this approval has gone beyond the line. A sport has a standard and people should meet the standard to get in, not have the standard re-written for them. In a few years this could backfire and by then it would be too late to change without being discriminatory.
Unbelievable
While I agree this is potentially great for the inclusiveness of the sport in Britain – I think officials & ASA bosses need to be vigilant as to a number of issues that *may* arise. The ‘laws’ need to be explained in deep detail, as does how ASA plan to legislate to mitigate against any advantage a burkini may benefit a swimmer. If they don’t, the move will be met with real hostility from a great number of people.
My only other concern is how far this develops, how far does inclusiveness push ASA into unorthodox moves? We’ve already had instances of gender segregated swimming hours in a few leisure centres in Muslim communities in Britain so ASA will… Read more »
Bwahhhhh.Theyve got to be skin tight to be effective & that is against some standards of modesty .
Rhythmic gymnastics allowed these body covering leotards but they got too sexy for some of our muslim theocratic allies . The girls kept putting more sparkles on them & they got sheerer & sheerer with yet more bling .
I would have similar hopes if it were our more stylish islamic vamps but we are talking English .ones like a walk through Dewsbury . Not happening .