I certainly don't think this is technological doping...
MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- FINA president Mustapha Larfaoui defended swimmers Wednesday who have broken world records in Speedo's new high-tech LZR Racer suit.
At the same time, though, Larfaoui is open to changing the rules if the swimsuit's ultra-lightweight technology, based on NASA intelligence, is deemed to give competitors an unfair advantage.
I think it's unfair for swimmers who have since retired, and their world records are being broken today by better technology and not better swimmers.
The same could be said for the first swimmers who:
-were allowed the use of goggles
-were allowed the use of flip-turns
-allowed the use of the latest backstroke turn
-head-low breaststroke
-Dolphin kick in butterfly
-the list goes on and on...
-Sports evolve; we can't compare Johnny Weismuller to Michael Phelps - two different eras.
True, but in this case with the new Speedo LZR Racer I'd say it's more technology than better athletes.
A few interesting quotes from todays NY Times Article: http://tinyurl.com/3rf568
"Since the swimsuit was introduced in February, swimmers wearing it have sped to 22 of the 23 world records set."
"Others say privately that this new wave of swimwear is enhancing a swimmer’s buoyancy to a degree that could be considered performance-enhancing."
The article also points out:
"In an Olympic year, fast times come in waves. Furniss pointed out that in 1972, a year before Lycra skinsuits replaced nylon-skirted suits to spark the first swimwear revolution of the modern era, there were 53 world records set. Four years later, 61 world records were broken."
That's back in 1972...
Brent Rutemiller, publisher of Swimming World Magazine, discusses whether the new Speedo LZR qualifies as "tech doping" on NPR.
http://tinyurl.com/67nb2f
Business Week article on the Innovation of swimsuits.
http://tinyurl.com/3kzh6x
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