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Suit Circus Threatens to Drown Trials

Would-be Olympians' heads spin as tech sparks arms race in swimming pool

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2008 4:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – “The last honest Olympic sport” is about to kick the can, Scott Ostler writes in the San Francisco Chronicle, and the culprit is a familiar one: technology. The sport is swimming, and Olympic trials (beginning Sunday) coincide with a brutal competition among swimsuit makers for athletes’ affection. "Swimmers and coaches are caught in a last-minute scramble, at a bad time," Ostler writes.

After swimmers in Speedo's LZR Racer broke poolfuls of records, Nike and Tyr ran to catch up—and now a California maker might have done them all one better. “If you wonder why mankind can't cure cancer or solve the energy problem or climate crisis,” Ostler writes, “it's because all the world's scientists have been diverted into R&D of the swimsuit.”

The fabled blueseventy suit.
The fabled blueseventy suit.   (Getty Images)
Michael Phelps models the LZR.
Michael Phelps models the LZR.   (AP Photo)
Ryan Lochte (USA) swims in the new Speedo LZR RACER, the world's fastest swimsuit.
Ryan Lochte (USA) swims in the new Speedo LZR RACER, the world's fastest swimsuit.   (AP Photo)
American Olympic medalists Amanda Beard, left, Natalie Coughlin, right, and Michael Phelps pose in new, high technology Speedo LZR Racer swimsuits they will wear during the Beijing Summer Olympics.
American Olympic medalists Amanda Beard, left, Natalie Coughlin, right, and Michael Phelps pose in new, high technology Speedo LZR Racer swimsuits they will wear during the Beijing Summer Olympics.   (AP Photo)
Japan's Kosuke Kitajima breaks a record wearing the LZR Racer.
Japan's Kosuke Kitajima breaks a record wearing the LZR Racer.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
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