Published December 16, 2010 02:48PM
American swimmer Ryan Lochte set the first individual swimming world record since high-tech bodysuits were banned, winning the 400-meter individual medley at the short-course world championships on Thursday, Dec. 16. Triathlon has also dealt with the bodysuit controversy. The World Triathlon Corporation banned the use of neoprene in non-wetsuit swims, forcing athletes to switch to bodysuits made of 100% textile materials for the Ironman World Championship back in October.
Lochte finished the race in 3 minutes, 55.50 seconds, smashing the previous record set by Laszlo Cseh of Hungary a year ago by nearly two seconds.
“I wasn’t really expecting that,” Lochte said. “I was going out there to race the field. I had no idea where I was at during the race.”