Adlington says new suits are like doping

Swimming's latest bodysuits are like a form of doping and should be banned, Britain's double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has said.

The world championships begin in Rome on Sunday amid controversy after governing body FINA decided to allow the vast majority of new all-polyurethane suits, which make swimmers go faster and could prompt another flurry of world records.

"These costumes are technological doping. Just like I have never used doping to go faster, I will not use these costumes that I think are illegal," Adlington was quoted as saying in yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport after arriving in Italy.

Even top swimmers who are due to wear the new suits are unhappy with the regulations and some have said FINA will have to perform a U-turn after the championships.

Adlington, like Michael Phelps, will wear Speedo's LZR suit which was the first of a new generation of costumes but has now been usurped by the likes of Jaked's all-polyurethane suit.

"Lots of people have said that the position I have taken could put me at a disadvantage, but I don't feel like winning a race knowing the costume I'm wearing has improved my performance," added Beijing's 400 and 800 metre freestyle gold medallist.

Despite her stance, Adlington said swimmers were within their rights to use the new suits and she would not begrudge any of them winning.