Michael Phelps could scratch some World Cup meets because of FINA's months-long process to resolve the chaos over swimsuits.
Phelps, winner of a record eight Olympic gold medals last year, might skip meets in Stockholm and Berlin because of the swimsuits issue, his coach Bob Bowman told reporters.
"We were thinking about some World Cups in November," he said.
When asked if Phelps would go to those he added: "He might not. Maybe not. We have to see what is happening," amplifying comments that the swimmer could stay out of international competition.
FINA has agreed to ban performance-enhancing polyurethane suits next year after a glut of world records but said the new rules may not come into effect until May.
Bowman said: "I'd like to know if it's going to happen before the middle of next year because then we wait until April and then they say, 'No, it's really going to be August'."