Aaron Peirsol is among the swimmers who broke world records in high-tech bodysuits that revolutionized the sport. Now, with the suits outlawed beginning Jan. 1, Peirsol is looking forward to competing on a level playing field.

"We want an even playing field," Peirsol said in an interview with The Associated Press. "When the suits go, the sport will have a tremendous amount of integrity. We're going back to the way things were, which isn't always a bad thing."

More than 250 world records have been set since early 2008, when Speedo's LZR set the standard for water-resistant outfits that increase buoyancy.

Peirsol ended the year with world marks in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke events, and he broke the 4x100 medley relay record with the U.S. team at the world championships in Rome.

"Those records were done legitimately at the time," the 26-year-old Peirsol said. "It was never the swimmers' fault they were wearing those suits. They were just doing what was allowed for them to do.

"The suits are beautiful things and, whether you like it or not, they do make you swim faster. We were talking about maybe wearing them in practice, just to wear them just to go fast again. They are fun and they added another dynamic to the sport that was never there before. Not everyone hated them."

But with the return of knee-length and other textile suits, swimming will become less a battle of technology. That doesn't mean world records should be scrapped or noted in the record books, Peirsol said, because suits had been on an accelerated development for a decade.

"If you try to pick a date you run into snags," he said.

After describing 2009 as one the "best years of my career" _ despite the Olympic champion failing to qualify for the 100 backstroke final at the worlds _ Peirsol is less certain about what can be achieved next year when he dons the Arena R-Evo for the first time.

"I think I can get close (to breaking records), but I really don't know," he said. "Some records will be tough to beat for a lot of people, I think. Some people were affected more by the suits than others. There really is no telling until this year comes through.

"But the level of racing won't go anywhere, and I think the sport will surprise itself and some of those records will go down. Maybe not this year, but soon enough. Things are going to be changing for the sport, which makes this interesting."

Peirsol's last competition in the polyurethane suit was at the short-course Duel in the Pool in Manchester last Friday and Saturday. The U.S. team beat the European all-stars, but Peirsol failed to win a race.