It is no longer surprising that the "sharkskin" swimsuits tear during competitions. Previously, Italian star Flavia had to withdraw from a race due to her swimsuit tearing at the buttocks area, and this time, the embarrassment happened to Pang Jiaying, one of China's top swimmers.
During the semifinals of the women's 200-meter freestyle, Chinese stars Yang Yu and Pang Jiaying both wore the "sharkskin" swimsuits. Many media outlets were puzzled by their last-minute change in attire, but Yang Yu explained that almost all the top performers at this World Championships were wearing sharkskin suits, so they decided to follow the trend for psychological reasons. However, an awkward situation arose during the race when Pang Jiaying's swimsuit suddenly tore.
In fact, the swimsuit had already started tearing at the back just as she entered the water, but Pang Jiaying was too focused on the race to notice. After the first 100 meters, some pool water began seeping into the suit, slowing her down. Coach Yao Ying noticed the situation first. Fortunately, Pang Jiaying managed to secure the eighth position and narrowly advanced. The tear wasn't very noticeable underwater, but once she got out of the pool, it became quite apparent. To avoid any further embarrassment, Pang Jiaying used her swim cap to cover the torn area.
This incident was enough to embarrass the Shanghai native. Talking about the popular "sharkskin" swimsuit, Pang Jiaying expressed her helplessness: "The sharkskin has been extremely sought-after at this World Championships. When I received mine, I immediately noticed something was off—it was extremely tight, and it took great effort to put it on. It felt very uncomfortable, and who would have thought it would tear during the race? It was truly embarrassing."
Thoughtful staff quickly provided a towel to help her cover up, but clearly, this swimsuit could not be worn again. "I haven't decided what to wear for the final yet, but comfort is definitely the most important factor," she said.
Many swimmers have experienced similar embarrassments at this World Championships—whether it's exposure around the buttocks or tears near the calves. In reality, many swimmers aren't particularly fond of the sharkskin suits. On one hand, they are extremely expensive, and for optimal performance, each sharkskin can only be worn six times. On the other hand, these suits tightly hug the skin from shoulder to foot, making them prone to tearing and exposing the wearer. However, many top athletes have achieved excellent results while wearing them, which quickly made this type of swimsuit highly popular. But every advantage comes with a disadvantage; while wearing it might improve performance, there’s also the risk of public exposure.
In light of this, FINA proposed restrictions on "sharkskin" swimsuits, with a vote resulting in 12 in favor and 2 against. As such, FINA ruled that starting January 1 next year, sharkskin swimsuits will not be allowed in any competition organized by FINA. Furthermore, there will be strict regulations on swimsuit sizes—female competitors' suits must extend only from the shoulders to the knees, and male competitors' suits can only reach up to the waist. This regulation has been endorsed by Michael Phelps, who willingly volunteered to take off his sharkskin. It seems that after this Swimming World Championships, these sought-after swimsuits will begin gradually fading from history.
This incident highlights the dual-edged nature of using high-tech gear in sports—while it may enhance performance, it also brings potential risks and challenges that need to be carefully considered.