Will Speedos Finally Conquer The World?
Speedo’s new “LZR Racer” already has helped set 22 new world records, less than three months after the suit was unveiled. However, the suit has met with controversy as well as praise.
The country’s Olympic trials have been overshadowed by the swimmers’ demands to be allowed to compete in the Speedo LZR Racer. Twenty-two world records have been shattered in the high-tech suit since its February introduction.
The Germans say their medal chances are bleak at the Aug. 8-24 games unless they can wear Speedo instead of Adidas.
“The German swim federation has to seriously consider it, otherwise we will sink completely into mediocrity,” Thomas Rupprath, one of Germany’s top swimmers, said Saturday.
German swimmers, who wear Adidas, are worried that the new swimsuit gives an unfair advantage. “The German swim federation has to seriously consider it, otherwise we will sink completely into mediocrity,” says one of Germany’s top swimmers, Thomas Rupprath.
Rupprath lost his 50-meter backstroke world record two weeks ago to Liam Tancock, who swam in a Speedo. If you listen to U.S. head coach Mark Schubert, an outspoken supporter, that just shows every record could fall at the Beijing Games due to the suit.
But many swimmers, some contractually bound to other sportswear companies, argue that the Speedo is unfair and gives athletes added buoyancy in the pool. World governing swimming body FINA says no scientific evidence supports the claims and has refused to ban the LZR Racer.
Whether the German swimmers are disadvantaged against Speedo-clad rivals is real or not, head coach Orjan Madsen thinks the belief is now firmly stuck in their heads - and won’t be easy to dislodge.
“I don’t believe the best psychologists in the world can accomplish that,” Madsen said.
The swimming federation won’t end a four-year contract with Adidas worth $6.2 million. It runs until 2009, with an option for the sportswear company to extend two more years.
“We won’t break the contract. It’s also a question of principles,” federation general secretary Juergen Fornoff said.
Massimiliano Rosolino, an Italian who has won 17 medals in Olympics and world championships, is among those calling the suit unfair and a distortion of competition.
After Alain Bernard, pictured, set three world records in a three-day span at the European championships, a top French official questioned the legality of “LZR Racer” and called for an investigation.
“It’s not a matter of technology,” said Rosolino, whose country wears Arena. “The matter is one suit has much more flotation. If I were to go out there in a scuba suit it wouldn’t be fair either. There’s something not right about it.”
Despite the swimsuit debate, Germany has set a pair of European records two days into its Olympic trials. Sarah Poewe swam 1 minute, 7.10 seconds in the 100 breaststroke and Helge Meeuw finished the men’s 100 backstroke in 53.10.
Some Germans refuse to believe that the LZR Racer will bust every record and win every medal.
“I swim in Adidas and set my world record in the 100-meter freestyle in it two years ago,” Britta Steffen said. “With all this discussion, people shouldn’t forget the suit doesn’t swim alone. Inside is a person that has a good or bad day, and trained well or badly.”
Amanda Beard told AOL’s Dave Hollander in March that the best way to describe the new suit is “it doesn’t absorb any water. So you’re literally gliding through the water.” American swimmer Natalie Coughlin, who captured five medals at the 2004 Olympics, was one of the first to set a record in Speedo’s duds when she broke the 100-meter backstroke mark last February.
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They should just all swim naked, I mean come on, the original games were done in the nude.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:20 amThey should just all swim naked, I mean come on, the original games were done in the nude.
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LOL
April 20th, 2008 at 9:26 amDo you really want to see the Bulgarian women naked?
I’m “pulling” for that German guy carrying the Olympic Torch in the picture.
In the immortal words of Lili Von Shtupp:
“Hello, cowboy. Wha’s your name? … Is that a ten-gallon hat, or are you just enjoying the show? … I’m tired of men always coming and going, going and coming and always too soon … Would you like another schnitzengruben? … A wed wose, how womantic.”
Wunderbar!!!
April 20th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Get rid of the guy in the middle. Keep the flankers. 
April 20th, 2008 at 11:02 amNo friggn’ way, dude!
The guy with the torch stays!
April 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
ok Driller, he stays for you and you only.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:44 amGot an image to keep up here ya know.
Hey Detroit vs. Nashville is on national tv on NBC right now live.
Let’s not get drillanwr’s torch any wetter.
April 20th, 2008 at 6:11 pm