Calaidescope World

Somewhat Interesting News For Swimmers

Check out these articles from Fox Sports on MSN, Reuters and Popular Science about the new Speedo Fastsuit/Sharksuit, the LZR Racer. Makes you wonder what ever happened to shaving everything off to reduce drag, etc. This just takes all the fun out of watching a swim meet. I say, bring back the teeny-tiny trunks and give me more reasons to watch ;)


http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8275174?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002

http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKN1946603220080623

http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-gaming/article/2008-03/can-swimsuit-be-too-good



One of the members (KRtri84) on Fox Sports posted this comment, which I agree with:

i think everyone brings up valid points, but as a competitive swimmer for 15 years and a triathlete for 10, it is really plain to see that technology is a part of athletics. running shoes are lighter, there are compression shorts, cycling wheel systems that cost multiple thousands of dollars, wetsuits that are $600+, and yes, the LZR. just like there are "fast" swim suits that cost $150, there are better ones like the LZR that are more expensive. i ride a $2,500 bike in my races. there are bikes that cost 5x that. i can't afford them and i don't complain. it is probably 95-99% the person in almost every case - not the machinery, suit, shoe, etc.

the records are being broken by the best swimmers in the world. kitajima, lochte, phelps, coughlin, etc... these are the top of the top already, so of course they are going to be breaking records.

weir is right - too much hype about the suits and not the athletes.

and lastly, look at the records being broken. many of them are previously held records by the same swimmers. what about events like the 1500 m freestyle for both women (janet evans) and men (hackett). why have the amazing LZRs not lead to records here??? or the women's 100 m fly? men's 100 fly? they will most likely be broken in beijing but still the point is clear. it is the swimmers that are amazing - the suit is just a fancy piece of technology along for the ride.

What do you think?

For more information on the LZR Racer, head over to www.speedo.com.


Photo of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps taken from The Calgary Sun's Six in the City column by Kelly Doody (posted on 12 February 2008).

posted by Calai @ 11:24 AM