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Could Speedo cause Olympic disaster?
Topic Started: Apr 19 2008, 11:09 PM (308 Views)
musicasacra
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HOLY CARP!!!
Could Speedo Cause Olympic Disaster?
By ROY KAMMERER, AP
Posted: 2008-04-19 21:30:21

BERLIN (April 19) - German swimmers fear a disastrous performance at the Beijing Olympics because they will be wearing the wrong swimsuits.

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.

Posted Image

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.

Posted Image
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.

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.

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.

"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."
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Daniel
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They should swim naked. It would only be fair. :silly:

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Optimistic
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I was going to post this last night, actually.

I think it's pretty ridiculous that they're riding their hopes of success on a swimsuit. I understand that when you get into the top levels of sports little things like ounces of extra weight on shoes or the design of a bathing suit can result in finishing seconds behind the winner, but I think that's a clear sign that the sport has taken a wrong direction somewhere.

Sports have become WAY too complicated. Just DO it. Oh, wait. That slogan's already taken. ^_^
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And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Hmm

I wonder if I bought a bunch of those, sewed them together and put them on my hybrid if I'd improve my MPG.

Hmm <_<
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LadyElton
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kenny
Apr 20 2008, 11:32 AM
Hmm

I wonder if I bought a bunch of those, sewed them together and put them on my hybrid if I'd improve my MPG.

Hmm <_<

:lol2: :spit:
Hilary aka LadyElton
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Axtremus
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Daniel
Apr 20 2008, 03:15 AM
They should swim naked. It would only be fair. :silly:

Applies to beauty pageants too! :yesgrin:
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Klaus
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When I saw the pic I thought they would cause a disaster because they reveal a bit much.
Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman
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Axtremus
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kenny
Apr 20 2008, 11:32 AM
Hmm

I wonder if I bought a bunch of those, sewed them together and put them on my hybrid if I'd improve my MPG.

Hmm <_<

Or wrap it around your cable/DSL/wireless modem to get better Internet connection speed. :D
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sue
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Klaus
Apr 20 2008, 09:18 AM
When I saw the pic I thought they would cause a disaster because they reveal a bit much.

Well there definitely needs to be some kind of law put in place re these suits. You should have to pass a fitness test or something to be allowed to purchase/wear one. We only want to see these on super trim, firm bodies. Please.
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Luke's Dad
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Posted Image

Is that blonde on the right a man or a woman?
The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it.
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Luke's Dad
Apr 20 2008, 10:22 AM
Posted Image

Is that blonde on the right a man or a woman?

Why, are you getting aroused? :o
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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George K
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Finally
Luke's Dad
Apr 20 2008, 12:22 PM
Posted Image

Is that blonde on the right a man or a woman?

Judging from the equipment (or lack thereof) I'd say female, maybe.
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Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

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dolmansaxlil
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*snicker My first response to this pic was "Whoa! Put it away, buddy!"

I was too polite to post it. Glad someone took up the slack. ;)
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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George K
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Finally
Better than bike shorts, I'd say.

(very NSFW)

(his pants were so tight I could tell what religion he was)
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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