BRITISH swimmer Mark Foster says new performance-enhancing bodysuits in the sport are “the equivalent of steroids”.

FINA, the sport’s governing body, has deemed the bodysuits legal ahead of the world championships in Rome next month.

“The world championships are now going to be the suit wars and it’s taken the shine off swimming,” said Foster.

“Michael Phelps is the best swimmer in the world but someone wearing a Jaked suit will beat him if he’s using a Speedo suit – they are that effective.”

More than 100 world records have been beaten in the past 18 months, with most falling to swimmers using the new fully-covered suits.

FINA were set to ban the all-polyurethane suits before bowing to pressure from sportswear manufacturers and performing a dramatic U-turn.

“I want to see the sport go back to a pair of swimming trunks but that will never happen because this has gone too far now. There’s also too much money involved in the swimsuit manufacturers,” added Foster.

“To me these suits are the equivalent of steroids.

“The men’s 50m freestyle has improved by half a second. I tried for so many years to improve by 0.1 of a second. Put a new suit on and you can shave half a second off.”

Foster continued: “It’s not about the swimmers, it’s about the suits. The suits are making the difference and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

“Some people say they’re good for swimming because it means world records are being broken all of the time, but I think they make a mockery of the sport.”

Sponsorship deals could mean certain athletes may be at a disadvantage by not being able to wear the new suits.