There is a new twist to the suit story today: Mizuno has joined the swim suit race and has produced a garment that Japan's double Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima described as the 'sensational' piece of kit that will help him to retain his titles in Beijing. Times and the races will tell.

The Mizuno outfit is said to have been developed 'to rival Speedo's LZR Racer'. Not sure how that could have worked unless there was a touch of industrial espionage going on.

Anyhow, Kitajima told reporters in Tokyo: 'I feel lighter and more comfortable in water than the previous suit. It suits me really well. It's the first time I have felt like that. It's sensational.'

The new Mizuno number was worn by Reiko Nakamura and Yuko Nakanishi when they set world short-course records on backstroke and butterfly at the Japan Open short-course championships last month.

Kitajima, 25, confirmed that all his teammates would wear the new suit in Beijing. We assume, then, that it has been approved by FINA, and that Mizuno representatives will be present at the meeting with the international federation on Saturday called to discuss the suits controversy.

'I have aimed to peak for the Olympics in the past year. I'm determined to show a new Kosuke Kitajima with this new suit at the Beijing Olympics,' said Kitajima. The new suit will be put through its paces at Japanese Olympic trials next week.