Italy has banned the Speedo LZR Racer from its Olympic trials and spring nationals in Rome this week. The decision follows a similar move in Canada, where organisers felt that it would be unfair to allow use of the suit given that not everyone can get their fins on one.

The decision is based on FINA rule 5.6: 'The manufacturers must ensure that the approved new swimsuit will be available for all competitors'. FINA will meet suit makers to discuss various issues on April 12 during the world short-course championships in Manchester.

Not sure if the Arena R-Evolution and the adidas PowerWeb are available to all who ask either, but no mention of those suits in the Italian statement.

And here's the response from Speedo: 'Speedo's mission is to develop the world's fastest swimsuit and to enable swimmers to swim faster than ever before. With 17 world records broken since the launch of Speedo LZR RACER in February by swimmers wearing the suit, the results speak for themselves.

'We understand that the Italian Swimming Federation, FIN, will not allow use of the Speedo LZR RACER at the Italian Swimming Championships in Livorno, based on availability. The Speedo LZR RACER suit has met all the requirements laid down by the governing body of the sport, FINA, including availability, and has been fully approved by FINA. Speedo was not approached by FIN prior to their decision being taken, and whilst we accept the decision, we would expect that the same FIN ruling will apply to all manufacturers that have introduced new swimsuits.

'As a result of the success and popularity of the world's fastest swimsuit demand is exceptionally high. Despite this, Speedo is making the LZR RACER available to all swimmers at the forthcoming FINA World Swimming Championships (25m).'

Marketing coup complete. The suit is available on loan to swimmers at the British trials in Sheffield. It is not all marketing, though. Looking down through the slower heats, there are big gains being made by some swimmers in the new costume. Some gains are being made elsewhere but there are fewer swimmers wearing rival suits. What makers claim that science proves, the eye can almost see, and the result sheet suggests is real. Just how big the effect is open to much debate.