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.