Italy's Magnini splits with Arena over suit doubts

Italy's 100 metres freestyle world champion Filippo Magnini has split with sponsors Arena because of doubts about whether they could provide him with a competitive suit for next month's Olympics.

"Magnini and Arena have agreed with great regret that the most reasonable and logical thing to do was agree to a consensual annulment of the contract," Arena said in a statement.

Magnini now looks set to wear Speedo's LZR costume in Beijing after using the controversial suit to beat French world record-holder Alain Bernard and Australian rival Eamon Sullivan in the 100 metres freestyle at Rome's Seven Hills meeting in June.

A raft of world records have tumbled this year after Speedo introduced the suit, which they say reduces drag, muscle oscillation and skin vibration.

It also uses materials other manufacturers thought were banned until the International Swimming Federation (FINA) recently clarified their regulations.

Magnini had complained that rivals wearing the Speedo suit had an advantage after he finished behind Bernard and Swede Stefan Nystrand at the European Championships in March.

The outcome is a blow for Arena as Magnini was one of their top swimmers and his contract with them ran until 2011.

The company said they had great faith in their suit, the Powerskin R-Evolution, but acknowledged that some athletes had not had enough time to test it before the Games.

Doping appeal

Swimmer Jessica Hardy has begun the appeals process following her positive doping test from the US trials and is hopeful she can still go to Beijing, her lawyer said. Attorney Howard Jacobs said Hardy had tested positive for the stimulant clenbuterol after her second doping test at the trials, on July 4 following her swim in the 100 metres freestyle.