New bodysuits are key to winning - world champion Jones

LISBON (Reuters) - High-tech bodysuits rather than the ability of swimmers are becoming the key to winning, world and Olympic 100 metres breaststroke champion Leisel Jones of Australia said in Madeira on Tuesday.

"Swimming is becoming more about suits. It's more about how much money you can throw into the suits," she told Reuters while attending an International Whaling Commission meeting that advocates whale watching as an alternative to commercial whaling.

"It's certainly not about athletes performing fast any more, it's about how fast the suit performs," added Jones.

Swimming's governing body FINA courted controversy earlier this week by approving new suits totally covered in polyurethane to aid buoyancy.

The old suits only had polyurethane plates and wearers of fully covered suits have set more than 100 world records in the past 18 months.

Jones has turned down the chance to compete at next month's world championships in Rome in order to concentrate on studying.

However, she says she has no plans to retire and may compete in the 2012 London Olympics.

"This was about a year that I wanted to have a break and concentrate on studies and particularly life after sport so when I've finished competing I have a diploma there ready for when I've finished," said Jones.