High-tech swimsuit stirs controversy

[Legacy777]

This was too funny not to post....especially the comment about Formula 1.


The Los Angeles Times (3/28, Dillman) reports that competitive swimming has recently been turned "upside down" because of a "controversial" new swimsuit, Speedo's LZR Racer, which "has ignited debate over whether high-tech apparel provides an unfair advantage." The suit was "designed with help from NASA and its wind tunnels" and includes "ultrasonically bonded seams" which reduce drag. In fact, "14 world records" have been set in the past six weeks, "13 in the LZR suit." Dutch "Olympic champion Pieter van den Hoogenband captured the essence of the controversy: 'This [suit] allows far less talented swimmers to go fast,'" he said. While the suit "was approved by FINA, swimming's international governing body," the group now says it will be "reviewing the procedures and regulations for approval of swimwear" next month. Still, "French swim officials, in particular, complain that the sport is beginning to resemble Formula One racing."

[James614]

The swimsuit reminds me a lot more of NASCAR than Formula one, considering that everyone wears the same thing and reduced drag appears to be far more important than aquadynamic (word?) control.

But realistically, you'd have to design a swimsuit with as close to zero drag as possible and FORCE everyone to wear it, so that talent becomes one of the only factors and the swimsuit is taken out of the equation entirely, instead of all this cry-babying because some old farts are afraid of advancements in design process

Do swimmers with large packages have a disadvantage in this area?

[denver_whitest185]

i think they are talking about comparing new records to records set when all someone had was a skimpy speedo. maybe they should convert back to greek rules

really, technology is improving athletics all the time like shoes, training machines, chemical supplements (the legal ones )

i can see why some very competitive people don't like it, but its kinda absurd the amount of resources they've used to design a swimsuit, lol

[klaxed]

Psh the French always complaining about something eh?

[Fkyx]

Do swimmers with large packages have a disadvantage in this area?

Actually, large packages displace the water, allowing for the legs to move more freely throughout the water. -_- Can't believe you didn't know that.

Anyway, this is a laughable topic. Think about it, if we had these kinds of advancements in all sports, like tennis, the players can blame a bad shot on the racket! That would be great for someone like me!

[Richard]

What about golf? You can't tell me Tiger would get those amazing drives if he had to use some shitty 1918 wooden drivers.

Besides, records are meant to be broken. That's why they keep score, right?

[Arctic Assassian]

^^^ Actually, while golf technology has improved, the distance of drives has historically stayed the same. I'd bet he'd be within 50 feet.

[John Drivesabox]

Gives new meaning to...

"In there like swimwear"

[Kelly]

This was a good morning lol.

I think the french women are still just bitter about having to shave.