Phelps to Competition: Lose the Speed Suits

Cutting-edge swimwear adds array of advantages

(NEWSER) - After more than 100 records were broken in the past year and a half, the international swimming federation has put 348 high-tech swimsuits under the microscope—banning 10 of them and requiring modifications to another 136, the New York Times reports. The suits can increase buoyancy, squeeze the body into position, and cut drag, said a coach. FINA’s move could lead to the disqualification of some records. More»

He fails to qualify in two events, barely makes a third

(AP) - Wearing an old-style swimsuit, Michael Phelps missed out on two finals and barely qualified for a third today at a World Cup short-course meet. Phelps failed to qualify for the finals of the 100-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke. He qualified in the 100 medley, finishing seventh in 53.13 seconds. He'll try two more events tomorrow. More»

(AP) - Michael Phelps and the US 400-meter medley relay team closed the fastest meet in swimming history with an appropriate finish Sunday night in Rome—the 43rd world record. Phelps earned his fifth gold medal of a world championship that showed he's still got plenty of motivation, even after scoring a record eight golds at the Beijing Olympics. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps today rebounded from yesterday's stunning loss by shattering his own world record in the 200-meter butterfly at the FINA World Championships in Rome, ABC News reports. Phelps achieved the feat without a full-body suit, wearing only an ankle-to-waist version. In his loss yesterday, he lost to a swimmer wearing the most high-tech of suits, which will eventually be banned. “He swam that 200 meters pissed off,” an insider said of today's race. More»

Stunning reversal raises questions about role of high-performance bodysuits

(AP) - Germany's Paul Biedermann handed Michael Phelps his first major individual loss in 4 years—and snatched away his world record, too—with a stunning win in the 200-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships today in Rome. Virtually unknown outside his country before this meet, Biedermann has now erased Ian Thorpe from the record book with a win in the 400 free and knocked off the most successful Olympian in history. More»