A top USA Swimming official said Friday he hopes a lawsuit accusing the governing body of being in cahoots with Speedo will be resolved quickly so athletes can focus on the Beijing Olympics.

Chuck Wielgus, executive director of the national governing body, also disputed claims by California-based TYR Sport that USA Swimming and its head coach, Mark Schubert, were trying to persuade American swimmers to switch to Speedo's revolutionary "LZR Racer" suit even if they have sponsorship deals with other companies.

"While we cannot comment on pending litigation, it is important to note that USA Swimming does not dictate which brand of personal competitive gear our national team athletes wear," Wielgus said in a statement. "Rather, U.S. athletes are free to wear their preferred brand of suit, cap and goggles."

With the Olympic trials in Omaha, Neb., less than two months away, TYR filed a federal antitrust lawsuit this week against Speedo's parent company, USA Swimming and Schubert.

"We hope that this matter can be resolved quickly so that all athletes currently preparing for the U.S. Olympic team trials can be free from this unfortunate distraction," Wielgus said.

Natalie Coughlin, competing at the Santa Clara Grand Prix in California, said she's aggravated that so much attention is going toward the suits instead of the swimmers. She was one of the Speedo-sponsored athletes who helped develop the LZR Racer.

"It's not magical," Coughlin said after breaking her own U.S. record in the 100 freestyle. "I just think the hype surrounding it is really irritating. I'm so glad it's successful, but it's like almost too much."

TYR's case focuses on Speedo's financial relationship with USA Swimming and its top coach, calling Schubert a "paid spokesman" for the company.

The lawsuit cites numerous examples of Schubert touting the benefits of wearing the LZR Racer, including his endorsement last month during the short course world championships, where numerous world records were set, mostly by Speedo swimmers.

Since the LZR Racer's unveiling in mid-February, swimmers wearing the suit have set a staggering 37 world records and rekindled the debate over whether technology has too much influence over the sport. World governing body FINA has repeatedly upheld the legality of Speedo's design and will hold a special meeting next month to rule on the legality of new suits designed by rival companies in response to the LZR.

"The people breaking these world records either had them or were really close to them before," Coughlin said. "So it does, I think, take a little bit away from the swimmers. It's just a little irritating."

Larry Hilton, an attorney for TYR, said that while the "timing of the lawsuit is unfortunate," the company had no choice after settlement talks with USA Swimming broke down. Continued...