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Space suit making waves

MARTIN PETTY

Reuters

Latest comment posted at 8:37 PM EST 15/04/08

As swimming records fall, athletes are breaching contracts to wear the LZR, a Speedo swimsuit developed with help from NASA; critics question legality of materials used and call suit ‘technological doping' ...Read the full article

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  1. Howard Young from Canada writes: If everyone is wearing them, the advantage is nullified.
  2. i. ignatius from Canada writes: heh. well, if you want to eliminate 'technological doping', just have everyone swim naked.

    probably boost TV ratings at the same time!

    -ig
  3. The Wight from Canada writes: It isn't just about competition between existing swimmers. If everyone wears the suit, it is undoubtedly a fair playing field unless some other 'advantage' is taken by a select batch of swimmers.

    What is unfair is that quite a bit of prestige and endorsements come from being a world record holder and this suit jeopardizes all the existing records unfairly. A swimmer that wouldn't be quite fast enough without the suit now will be, and break a record he or she has no business breaking. Great for them, but lousy for the old record holder who didn't have the benefit of the suit, don't you think?
  4. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Simple solution. Post and maintain all records giving the conditions, including equipment, at the time.
  5. Knowledge is True Opinion from Canada writes: What's the difference between the upgraded suit and modern work-out methods, equipment, constant monitoring, food plans, supplements, etc. Sports progress, yu can't hold on to old records because of these advantages or a new record will never be set.
  6. Mitch Sprague from Ottawa, Canada writes: I think its a good idea, and the cyclists should be allowed to put those little electric motors on their bikes too. Its no longer about the skills and abilities of the athletes, its about how much of a technology edge can you get over the other teams.
  7. andy c from Canada writes: thats like say that all track records set recently should be nulified because of the shoe technology these days. to make it a fair track meet they should require all participants to wear shoes from the 50's. every sport has it's equipment advantages and evolution over time (hockey, golf, football) and i'm sure the equipment had something to do with those records falling over they years. for me this is a case where one manufaturer got it right and the others are sour grapes about it where in the past when almost any sport no manufauturer held such a large advantage at any given time.
  8. Mike Z from Saskatoon, Canada writes: How is this any different than technological progress in any sport? Baseball bats today can hit further than bats 50 years ago, golf clubs can hit further, etc... It is human nature to try and continually improve things.
  9. J S from Toronto, Canada writes: '...but critics say use of the suit is tantamount to “technological doping”...'

    Technological advances in equipment have been breaking world records since the Olympics began. Look at all the equipment used - shoes long distance runners wear, bicycles, rackets, bobsled helmets/sleds/courses, speedskater helmets/outfits/skates/ice, etc. - they've all made technological advances. If the critics want these bathing suits taken away, all athletes should go back to using vintage equipment - equipment that was available when the Olympics first began and nothing newer - and this includes facilities. No more high-tech stadiums - use cinders instead of the cushy rubberized material used for tracks, etc...
  10. Are We Having This Conversation ? from Toronto, Canada writes: HAHAHA!! I enjoyed the comment about swimming naked....all swimmers have excellent bodies - good idea!!
    The american coach just irks me....they get heaps of funding and their approach to this article and a similar that was posted last week is just pricelss (if you have the money...then buy the suit, for those without the cash....oh well').
    As I posted before....I hope the Canadian swimmers and the Australian swimmers beat the American swimmers. During the Canadian olympic trials, our athletes did not use the swimsuits because not everyone would have access to them. Therefore our swimmers used what they had. Of course, for the olympics, they may have the LZR suit, assuming Swim Canada will buy it for all the athletes and not just the most 'promising'. Even without the suit, our athletes broke Canadian records....good luck Canada!

  11. The Wight from Canada writes: Knowledge is True Opinion:

    'What's the difference between the upgraded suit and modern work-out methods, equipment, constant monitoring, food plans, supplements, etc.'

    All of those improve the athlete. The suit, on the other hand, improves the time and does zip for the athlete.
  12. J Kooman from Canada writes:
    Here is the dilemma. If the LZR Racer bodysuit is a high tech product with contribution from NASA, can US restrict its sale to USA Olympic team until the end of this Olympics?

    I recall they did the same for some high tech bicycles a few years ago.

    Any insight?
    ...
  13. Barney Rubble from Canada writes: I seem to recall a similar if not identical debate about 20 years ago among downhill skiers when the europeans were adopting newly developed tightfitting suits which gave them a distinct advantage on the hills - the CDN team did not have them and this hurt their chances until they also go them

    however the important point was that suits had to be test for 'porosity' so the skier's skin could properly breathe and his/health health was not affected

    similar problems arose when ski jumpers were adopting suits that gave them a distinct advantage - so limits were placed on them as well - ever notice how baggy under the arms ski jumper suits are - well that's pretty much the maximum allowable under olympic rule

    ski flyers OTOH have small wings under their arms....
  14. The Wight from Canada writes: Obviously, there are sports where technology is going to being a big part of the equation, like cycling and hockey. It stands to reason that you need the equipment to play, so advances in the equipment matter.

    The fairest alternative in these cases would be to make the tech available to every participant. The wealthier teams (like the US) should be forced to subsidize the weaker teams or else just go without. You shouldn't be able to buy a competitive advantage and I'd be willing to bet that once teams are forced to level the playing field, the technological oneupmanship would disappear. The last thing we need is for all sports to start to mimic F1, where the biggest bucks usually win.

    Swimming is a whole other ballgame, though. You don't NEED this suit to swim. You don't need a suit at all. There are literally no technological requirements for the sport at all. So ... why are we adding one?
  15. Jody Greening from Burlington, Canada writes: And who really cares???

    All that is going on and people are actually concerned with this junk.... bravo world.
  16. Cassandra . from Mississauga, Canada writes: Re all the chat about swimming naked - seems to me this came up years ago when some swimmers posted astounding performance improvements actually swimming in the buff. The argument then (everybody feel free to correct me) was that this gave them an 'unfair' advantage over suited swimmers. I suspect that victorian morality had something to do with it too. I believe I learned in grade school that the original Olympic athletes ALL performed in the nude. So how about it, luddites? Absolutely level playing field.
  17. Mark H from Indy, United States writes: 'Knowledge is True Opinion from Canada writes: What's the difference between the upgraded suit and modern work-out methods, equipment, constant monitoring, food plans, supplements, etc. Sports progress, yu can't hold on to old records because of these advantages or a new record will never be set. '

    What a bunch of babies - can anyone see Tiger Woods bitching about Mickelson's clubs because Callaway came up with some breakthrough before Nike? Please.
  18. Jay Dow from Kelowna, Canada writes: I agree with Mark H! It will work itself out eventually... And a year from now everyone will have forgotten about it anyways because there will be another thing to complain about by then!
  19. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes: So what are the olympics really all about anyways? doesn't sound like what's happening with the athletes and their swim bags matches what the ioc says we should be thinking about the 'spirit' of the olympics.

    BOYCOTT BEIJING 2008
  20. M D from Ottawa, Canada writes: In cycling, the world hour record must be performed on a bicycle technically similar to that used in 1970s by Eddy (God) Merckx. There are many other regulations regarding bicycles in competition.

    To be a true test of performance, the authorities have an obligation to make the rules fair and the sport true. If you are winning because of your swimsuit, chances are you probably didn't train well enough.
  21. Sissy Schuss from Canada writes: Cassandra . from Mississauga, Canada writes: Re all the chat about swimming naked - seems to me this came up years ago when some swimmers posted astounding performance improvements actually swimming in the buff. The argument then (everybody feel free to correct me) was that this gave them an 'unfair' advantage over suited swimmers. I suspect that victorian morality had something to do with it too.

    to much staring during competition nullifies the advantage

    actually I fail to see how this would be an actual advantage because our bodies are hairy even if we shave everything they will not be as smooth as a latex or equivalent body suit not to mention other appendages and body parts that are flattened out in the process
  22. B Lam from Canada writes: Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes: So what are the olympics really all about anyways? doesn't sound like what's happening with the athletes and their swim bags matches what the ioc says we should be thinking about the 'spirit' of the olympics.

    BOYCOTT BEIJING 2008
    _______________________________

    Boycott stupidity
  23. Gary Dale from Toronto, ON, Canada writes: Are the competitions about the athlete or the technology? In any given race, the technology may be similar for all competitors so what is acheived other than requiring the athletes to spend more on their gear?

    What is lost is the ability to compared the actual performance of the athletes. And we lose the ability to really know if someone won because they were the best or because they had the best gear.

    In formula 1 racing, it seems technology is often the deciding factor, with drivers just there to prove they are good enough to handle the fastest cars. In formula Ford, however, the cars are essentially the same so it the drivers who are being tested.

    If I was a top athlete, is winning my main goal, or am I trying to demonstrate my ability in relation to the other athletes? For pro sports, there is little doubt that winning is everything. For amateurs, I always thought the focus should be on the competition.
  24. Mark H from Indy, United States writes: 'If I was a top athlete, is winning my main goal, or am I trying to demonstrate my ability in relation to the other athletes? For pro sports, there is little doubt that winning is everything. For amateurs, I always thought the focus should be on the competition. '

    Respectfully Gary, there's no medal for 'competition'.
  25. Jeremy K from vancouver canada, Canada writes: how is this different from when tennis switched from wooden to graphite racquets? i dont see a problem with this technological advance provided every athlete has the chance to use it and the playing field stays level
  26. Jeremy K from vancouver canada, Canada writes: regarding boycotting the beijing olympics

    the sheep should take the planks out of their own eyes before looking for the speck in their neighbours
  27. r Bladek from China writes: What would Archimedes say?
  28. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Give Speedo the Gold.

    The athletes can compete for the Silver and the Bronze.
  29. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Sissy Schuss: Greetings

    ' .... swimming naked - seems to me this came up years ago when some swimmers posted astounding performance improvements actually swimming in the buff....'

    I am skeptical. With all those protrusions friction and drag would be greater, especially with well endowed women and men.
  30. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    r Bladek: Ni Hao Ma and Greetings

    ' ..... What would Archimedes say?...'

    Did you hear that? The inventor of the suit was seen running naked in the streets shouting - 'I have won the Gold, I have won the Gold'.
  31. Ryan Ginger from Ottawa, Canada writes: You know, I used to like watching swimming and some of the other 'low tech' sports, like running, because they used to be entirely about the athletes, not the technology - yes, of course, even though some athletes benefit from rich technologies in their training. Nonetheless, during head to head competition, technology did not play a direct role in these sports. Do any of such events exist nowadays? It's all about the bucks...
  32. John K from Canada writes: I really think people are reacting way too sensitively to this. This isn't a debate of "old-fashioned head-to-head" competition over "crazy new cheating cheating technology". It's an advancement in something the athletes use. Is golf going to have to limit innovation of all companies manufacturing clubs because golfers years ago didn't have access to it? A lot of people have used the argument that, "if you can't win without having this suit, then you're obviously not good enough". If that's true, then how about saying that if you're a good enough swimmer, the equipment you use shouldn't matter.
    On the bright side for the sport of swimming, they have to assume that ratings for the events will go up out of curiosity to see the new suits.
  33. Joe V from Canada writes: That guy in the photo may have a bit of trouble finding dates in the near future.
  34. Jason Thorne from Vancouver, Canada writes: I really don't care that this swim suit gives swimmers an advantage, other companies will follow suit and eventually the playing field will be level again. The question then is: will this happen in time for the Olympics? I hope so because I really don't want to hear a bunch of whiners about why they didn't win and blaming it on this swim suit. Also, the swimmers still have to be top level, it isn't like I can wear the swim suit and I am going to start breaking records with it.
  35. Mike Quinlan from Gatineau QC, Canada writes: And next up, a new form of breast implant for female swimmers that have better buoyancy and less drag, an ear and brain implant that allows for a quicker reaction to the starting gun, an extreme colonic cleaning followed by a fill up of energy ectoplasm that enhances flotation, and for the lucky few plastic surgery for webed feet and fingers.
    Next century with further advances our scientific ability the plan is to inject dolphin DNA directly into selected babies with a strong genetic heritage of being good swimmers.
  36. L. C. from Canada writes: We are very much hypocrits. Drug Doping = Technology Doping
    Monopoly Vs Competition. Fairness Vs Nulified.

    Look what you guys said.

    It is just said that Speedo is such a worldwide brand name in the swimming world. Basically Speedo = Swim Suit. How can Olympic not allow people to wear Swim Suit to compete?

    I think this is what Nike can do to build a bigger empire. Create a body suit for sprinting that will enhance every single muscile of your body, and reduce the wind resistence.. so the athletes will all wear that body suit .

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