Fashion designer Aheda Zanetti and her burkini, modeled by Farrah Zbib. Photo: Adam Hollingworth
The burkini is seen as a symbol of integration, says its designer. Here lifesaver Mecca Laa Laa wears a burkini on her first patrol at North Cronulla Beach in 2007. Photo: Getty Images
Nissrine Samali, 20, gets into the sea fully clothed in Marseille, southern France. The Cote d'Azur city of Cannes has banned burkinis. Photo: AP
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In 2000 at the Sydney Olympic Games, a brand-new, innovative swimsuit was brought onto the scene. These suits, which went from neck-to-ankle, were improved upon older suits by the addition of polyurethane and rubber. Since these suits were introduced, world records have been blown out of the water (pun intended), and FINA, the sport of swimming’s governing body, outlawed these suits on the basis that they were not made of textile materials. They also limited the coverage allowed, since the smooth fabric allows competitors to glide more easily and quickly through the pool.
2000: Paul Palmer, British Olympic swimmer, at the University of Bath swimming pool wearing the controversial Adidas Sharkfin body suit
2002: Australian Olympic champion freestyle swimmer Ian Thorpe training at the Manchester Aquatic Centre in preparation for the Commonwealth Games
2004: British Olympic Swimmer Mark Foster models a hi-tech Speedo swimsuit ahead of the Olympics in Athens. It's a good job this suit is used for swimming as no one can really see how revealing it is once you're under water