Hamburg - Former German swim star Michael Gross has entered the debate on new suits which have led to a flood of world records by calling on his sport to return to its basic equipment.

"It has become a technology battle which even overshadows the doping debate. That is a wrong turn for the sport," Gross told Deutsche Presse-Angentur dpa.

"Swimming is risking manoeuvring itself on to the sidelines."

Gross called for a return to "swim shorts and suits" or at least for a standard suit to be used by all athletes.

Gross won three Olympic gold medals and five world titles in his career in the 1980s - long before the bodysuits were introduced.

"I am glad that we didn't have this discussion during my days. But the worst thing is that the kick is slowly gone for the swimmers as well, the motto being: I can try whatever I want, it is the suit that wins."

New suits this year led to more than 100 world records and swimming reached a milestone at the Beijing Olympics when American Michael Phelps won an unprecedented eight gold medals at one Games for an all-time records of 14 golds.

Last weekend, German swimmers protested against their allegedly inferior equipment which prompted equipment makers adidas to cancel a sponsorship deal with the nation's swim federation. (dpa)