Swimsuits Continue to Cause Controversy
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What Do You Think?
UPDATE!
July 22, 2009
Swimsuits are making a big splash at the Fina World Swimming and Diving Championships again.
First it was the Speedo LZR at the 2008 Olympics and now the Arena X-Glide and the Jaked J01. Swimsuits are becoming household names in the swim world. World records are being broken at an alarming rate. When hundredths of seconds may decide a race, these controversial suits may be the answer. The FINA world championships in Rome may highlight the future direction of swimming.
Will youngsters have to pay $500 for a new swimsuit just to be on the local swim team? Has this gone too far?
You can read more of the history of these space-age swimsuits below.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic swimmers wore a futuristic space-age suit. Developed by top scientists in aerospace, engineering and medicine from around the world. These suits are water repellent and ultra lightweight.
NASA has tested these fastskin body suits with the same technology they test the space shuttle in a wind tunnel. By reducing the skin friction, these suits cut cleanly threw the water and the swimmer becomes streamlined like a dolphin, thus creating a low drag rocket effect in the water.
Speedo's LZR race suit or other copy cat suits may bring home more medals. With these suits, world records will be shattered.
My question is this: Should all athletes be given the same swim suit to wear? If you have seen the Jamaican bobsled movie, Cool Runnings, you know what I mean.
As technology advances forward, should we embrace it?
What do you think?
Curt and Kelly Wissink
July 22, 2009
Swimsuits are making a big splash at the Fina World Swimming and Diving Championships again.
First it was the Speedo LZR at the 2008 Olympics and now the Arena X-Glide and the Jaked J01. Swimsuits are becoming household names in the swim world. World records are being broken at an alarming rate. When hundredths of seconds may decide a race, these controversial suits may be the answer. The FINA world championships in Rome may highlight the future direction of swimming.
Will youngsters have to pay $500 for a new swimsuit just to be on the local swim team? Has this gone too far?
You can read more of the history of these space-age swimsuits below.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic swimmers wore a futuristic space-age suit. Developed by top scientists in aerospace, engineering and medicine from around the world. These suits are water repellent and ultra lightweight.
NASA has tested these fastskin body suits with the same technology they test the space shuttle in a wind tunnel. By reducing the skin friction, these suits cut cleanly threw the water and the swimmer becomes streamlined like a dolphin, thus creating a low drag rocket effect in the water.
Speedo's LZR race suit or other copy cat suits may bring home more medals. With these suits, world records will be shattered.
My question is this: Should all athletes be given the same swim suit to wear? If you have seen the Jamaican bobsled movie, Cool Runnings, you know what I mean.
As technology advances forward, should we embrace it?
What do you think?
Curt and Kelly Wissink
"New Swimsuits Roil Waters Again"- USA Today
- USATODAY.com
- Instead of conserving energy, perhaps taking a nap, in the hours between the preliminary and final races of the 100-meter backstroke at the recent U.S. swimming championships, Matt Grevers was testing swimsuits.
The reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 100 back, Grevers had the third-fastest time in prelims and was "nervous" he might not finish first or second in the final to qualify for next week's world championships.
The answer, he decided, might be a suit switch. He tested a trendy Arena X-Glide, and found it "kind of undeniable that the suits were pretty fast," he says. - High-Tech Swimsuits Are Drag on Wallets - washingtonpost.com
- The first time Andrew McGehee put on a Speedo LZR, he needed 10 minutes to fit himself in the skintight, rubber-like swimsuit. A stark change from the old-school Speedo briefs he had worn all his life, the LZR felt like a "really, really, really tight pair of pants."
- As times plunge, new suits' enhancing effects spur debate - USATODAY.com
- Instead of conserving energy, perhaps taking a nap, in the hours between the preliminary and final races of the 100-meter backstroke at the recent U.S. swimming championships, Matt Grevers was testing swimsuits.
Should The Speedo Lzr, Arena X-Glide, and Jake J01 Style Swimsuits Be Banned From the Olympics and All Swimming Competions?
Yes, you're right!
No way, Monkeybrain!
KimberlyDawnWells says:
I believe getting up at 5am 365 days a year for 15 years is what truly separates the haves from the have nots. If you don't train and sacrifice, you don't have it. This suit won't make me an Olympian. It may give already great athletes a split second advantage.
Fina World Championships on Twitter Search
The Science Behind the Speedo Launches LZR RACER Video
Watch Top Scientists Research Findings and NASA's Testing
Speedo LZR RACER Suit Background
- Speedo LZR RACER Suit
- Speedo has launched the Speedo LZR RACER suit, which independent testing has shown to be the world's fastest swimsuit.
- FastSkin History
- Speedo's history of suit innovation.
- Sleek suit swamps records
- Speedier Speedo credited as times fall on road to Beijing, but it has its pool of critics.
Records Fall at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials
Incredible Photography
- Records Fall at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials - The Big Picture - Boston.com
- Two world records were set yesterday in the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. Michael Phelps broke his own world record in the men's 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:05.25, and Katie Hoff qualified for her second Olympics with her own world record in the women's 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:31.12. The trials will continue through July 6th. (13 photos total)
2008 Aust. Oly. Trials - Men's 50m Free - E. Sullivan WR Video
Speedo LZR Racer Suit News
- Speedo's suit divides swimming world
- CHICAGO: A revolutionary bodysuit has divided the world of swimming into the haves and the have nots just weeks before the Beijing Olympics, testing relationships between federations, athletes and rival suppliers.
- Speedo Makes a Splash With LZR Racer Suit - Advertising Age - News
- Riding the wave of publicity from its attention-getting, record-breaking LZR Racer swimsuit, Speedo now plans to adapt the technology for mainstream consumers.
- LZR Racer suit gets Olympic competition
- Several new high-tech swimsuits were approved Wednesday to compete with Speedo's record-breaking LZR Racer at the Beijing Olympics.
New bodysuits from Arena, Adidas and Mizuno were all given the go-ahead by swimming governing body FINA in an extraordinary meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Swim Goggles and Caps on Amazon
Swim Goggles on eBay
Competition Swimwear Stores
- Competition Swimwear
- Shop online for one piece, competition swimwear, learn to swim, racing suit, grab bag, polyester, thin strap, wide strap, thick strap, fly back, pro back, diamondback, maxback, team suit.
- Kiefer Swim - Speedo - TYR - Nike - Dolfin
- Kiefer offers the best selection of the swimwear and swim gear from Speedo, TYR, Nike, Dolfin and more!
- TYR Sport Online Store : TYR Sport Online Store
- TYR Sport Online Store : TYR Sport Online Store - Men,Youth,Women,Equipment,Sale,Swim Suits.
- News: June 19, 2008: French Swimmers Threaten World Record
- Amaury Leveaux darted off the blocks in a time of 48.81. He wore the TYR Tracer Rise when helped his French teammates make history. Amaury touched the wall in a quick time of 22.06 in the 50m Freestyle Finals.
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Kelly and Curt both have a background in teaching and a passion for using their gifts to empower others to work from home.
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