It seems like it's been years since we've been able to gaze at the long, lean bodies of competitive swimmers — they're all covered by high-tech swimsuits like the LZR by Speedo. Well, times they are a changing. FINA, the international governing board of competitive swimming, just created a new rule for both the shape and material of the swimsuits worn in competition. The rule limits the amount of skin that can be covered by a suit, and the fabric must be water permeable — no more polyurethane. Speedo introduced the LZR 17 months ago, and its designs were quickly imitated by other swimsuit manufacturers. Watching the 2008 Olympics, these high-tech suits help many swimmers break world records. According to the New York Times, only four world records in Olympic individual events still stand from the prepolyurethane days. This is why the high-tech suits are considered "doping on a hanger." The ban goes into effect in 2010.
Michael Phelps is pleased with the new rule, are you?
Pied A Terre
Wow, she's sure wearing a lot of makeup for a swimmer!
1Finally! As a former competitor, I feel that these suits taint the sport.
2I am still amazed at how something like a suit or clothing can really make a difference in competition.
3Of course Michael Phelps has no problem with the ban. He has already broke all of the records. This means nobody will break his records in the future. Poor Spitz. He did it the old fashion way and now his records will not even hold up. Lets see how fast Phelps is now!!!!
4Yes, I'm gald it's banned. Something like 108 records were broken LAST YEAR ... mostly (all by?) swimmers in that suit.
5This is great, since it's nice to know it's the athlete, not his/her clothes, that won the competition. Not to diminish the work and training of the record holders last year, but it's somewhat tainted, no?
Still, will this mean that there is a reduction in the research that goes behind these suits? That would be a shame, since the suits' practical applications (lifeguards immediately springs to mind) shouldn't be ignored. (Ignore the whole suits are too expensive to be placed on every beach in the world argument, at some point it may be practical)
6i seem to remember a very naked phelps from last summer - was he alone in wearing the tiny speedos?
7I don't remember Phelps competing in tiny Speedos, nia. I remember him in the LZR suits. But I could be wrong.
8Phelps definitely wore the LZR suit at Bejing
9If everyone can have a suit like this, it seems fair.
10I think Phelps rolled down the top half of his suit in a lot of photos
11I doubt anyone will break any more records now that the "astro swimsuit" is gone.
12The photo of Olympian Natalie Coughlin is from a photo shoot/PR event introducing the LZR technology to the public. Here are some shots of Natalie swimming.
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