The battle of the bodysuits will begin in earnest today. Filippo Magnini, the Italian sprinter and world l/c champion, is 'highly likely' to appear in an updated version of the Arena Revolution in the final of the 100m freestyle in Manchester tomorrow after FINA gave the all-clear for the Speedo LZR to be copied by other suit makers.

Arena emerged from a crisis meeting with FINA at Manchester Town Hall and headed straight over to the Italian team HQ to deliver an Arena Revolution Mark II prototype for Magnini, who tested the suit today. SwimNews has seen and felt the material of the new suit. Like the Speedo, the newest new Arena relies heavily on panels that look more plastic than material. The panels are made of polyurethane. The suit may well go down as The Arena Revenge, depending on its performance.

Magnini is reported to have felt 'fantastic in the suit'. Whether he would be allowed to use the suit in tomorrow's final, should he chose to wear it, will depend on the chief referee and FINA. The suit has not yet been officially approved.

The crisis meeting with all suit makers concluded with FINA asking them all to form a committee to draw up a new list of guidelines, rules and processes for suit approval that could be judged by the international fabric makers association that serves as a global guardian of standards and measures (when I can find the name of these people, I'll let you know).

Rival suit makers had cried foul because the LZR had strayed deeper into the use of materials that they had not deemed to be made of 'fabric'. Christiano Portas, head of Arena, told SwimNews: 'FINA apologized that their rules were not very well worded. The rules were written in a wishy-washy way.' Shrugging, he added: 'A new era in the sport kicks off today. We can fight for ethics but we stood alone when it came to everyone saying that the word 'fabric' in the rules was just a generic term. Now we explore many other things.'

The decision will meet with disapproval among purists who feel that the performances of swimmers have been tainted by the extent to which suits can now enhance their efforts. Magnini, contracted to Arena, was among those who had complained that they were racing at a disadvantage to rivals in the LZR. South Africa captain Gerhard Zandberg, who is sponsored by Arena, said: 'I'm going to wear the Speedo at the Olympics. I'm not going to sacrifice performance. I'll be fined $3,000, but what's $3,000?'

As Mark Schubert, head coach to the USA, told us earlier this week: 'My advice to athletes is 'you have a black and white decision - the money or the gold medal'. And it's going to be a real test of character as to what choice they make. There is one manufacturer that's put millions into research while the other manufacturers are more into fashion. The other manufacturers need to put the effort in, catch up and quit whining.'

Arena intends to do just that, though Portas said that the damage to his company had been 'three years' of work and investment. Meantime, adidas, Mizuno, Nike, and Diana will, doubtless, also soon have a response to the Speedo suit and the TYR TracerLight that contains neoprene, a flotation aid. Octogenarian Australian coach Forbes Carlile and those who have been following his campaign for a return to a time when the suit was less significant, will be dismayed, on ethical grounds and in areas that are not even being raised as problematic in official circles. Like the cost - around £350 for the LZR, with a shelf life of six to 12 years. Carlile asks: 'How many parents can afford a bill of Aus$4,000 or 5,000 and more for suits every year?' The creation of a haves and have-nots sport would mean some talents just never emerge. 'But we aren't a philosophical society, we want bums on seats and internationally sustained publicity' said Carlile.

To the relief of organisers and FINA, the stands had more bums on seats tonight, it being Saturday, after three days of poor crowd figures, but there was no surprise to see a broad smile on the face of the head of the organising committee in Manchester: Stephen Rubin is also chairman of Pentland, parent company of Speedo.

Polyurethane is what he made have had on his mind. Who knows. Perhaps he might also have been wondering whether it is fair that Speedo's vast investment can now simply be copied. Then again, perhaps he might have been wondering just how good it felt to have got away with something that others shied away from because they believed they would not get away with it under the letter of FINA rules.

The horse having bolted, no point in shutting the stable door. 'Now we know the interpretation of the material is free, we have something ready,' Portas said. 'It's the very first prototype, but the feeling of the suit is special.' Compression, like the LZR, is key.

Portas noted that this is just the start of the journey. 'You have to have rules like Formula 1. There's no point in saying [the spoiler] has to look great and be smooth here and here. You have to say 'it must be 57.2mm from this point to that point and must now exceed X and Y. You need technical experts and lawyers. We are competitors as much as the swimmers are competitors, and the best will win. This is a stimulation to improve, but the rules must be clear. Now it's clear to everybody, but it's late. We've invested money. Knowing this before would have been a lot of help for everyone.'

FINA, which announced today that Istanbul will host the 11th FINA World Short Course Championships in 2012, issued the following statement: 'On the occasion of the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Manchester, FINA held today its planned meeting with the representatives of the swimwear manufacturers.

'The agenda included the review of the application of the FINA By-laws on approval of equipment in place since 2005. The meeting was also an occasion to receive the manufacturers' suggestions on the process.

'In regards to the swimwear material, the discussion clarified that there was a broad understanding between the manufacturers and FINA that the rules were not meant and should not be interpreted as limiting the materials to fabrics stricto sensu but that other material could be used, as has already been the case for several years.

'FINA confirmed that all the swimsuits approved so far are complying with the specifications.

'It was agreed that the manufacturers will submit to FINA a common proposal for additional criteria and corresponding methods of testing which may be included in the process.

'FINA will continue co-operating closely with the manufacturers and ensure the integrity and development of sport.'