The Speedo Laser: Amazing Invention or Unfair Advantage?

[Trombonus]

So I'm sure we've all seen the news buzzing around the Olympic swimming trials this year. Speedo and NASA have developed a new swimsuit called the LZR that has allowed swimmers to achieve amazing new speeds. A total of 47 records have been broken during the trials, with many more predicted to fall at the Olympics.

There has been some question about steroid use, but really when is there not speculation about steroid use? However, I'm wondering if this swimsuit is providing an unfair advantage for those wearing them. Not everyone used them at the trials, and not everyone will use them at the Olympics.

What do you think?

 

[THROBBS]

back to tradition of nude olympics.

 

[rgraham666]

Don't regard it as an unfair advantage. It's just equipment, which any one can obtain.

Not sure, using those criteria, if drug use is cheating. It is kinda stupid though.

 

[TxRad]

back to tradition of nude olympics.

But then you have problems with complaints about more or less drag in swimming and whether or not a hard on is cheating in the pole vault.

 

[R. Richard]

So I'm sure we've all seen the news buzzing around the Olympic swimming trials this year. Speedo and NASA have developed a new swimsuit called the Laser that has allowed swimmers to achieve amazing new speeds. A total of 47 records have been broken during the trials, with many more predicted to fall at the Olympics.

There has been some question about steroid use, but really when is there not speculation about steroid use? However, I'm wondering if this swimsuit is providing an unfair advantage for those wearing them. Not everyone used them at the trials, and not everyone will use them at the Olympics.

What do you think?

The new Speedo suits are available to everyone. If using them is an unfair advantage, then everyone can have the same, unfair advantage. How is that an unfair advantage?

 

[Trombonus]

The new Speedo suits are available to everyone. If using them is an unfair advantage, then everyone can have the same, unfair advantage. How is that an unfair advantage?

I was under the impression that not everyone would be allowed to use them. I know that some of the participants at the trials were unable to wear them due to having contracts with other swimsuit makers. I assume it is the same for some of the other countries as well.

I've been trying to do some research on the topic, and from what I can tell only the U.S. will be wearing these suits. If that is the case then that could be an unfair advantage.

 

[neonlyte]

But then you have problems with complaints about more or less drag in swimming and whether or not a hard on is cheating in the pole vault.

That's just boasting, Tx... though it does explain the Fosbury Flop in the High Jump competition

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I was under the impression that not everyone would be allowed to use them. I know that some of the participants at the trials were unable to wear them due to having contracts with other swimsuit makers. I assume it is the same for some of the other countries as well.

I've been trying to do some research on the topic, and from what I can tell only the U.S. will be wearing these suits. If that is the case then that could be an unfair advantage.

The Burkas are killing the times on the Iranian and Saudi women's teams.

 

[neonlyte]

What's really unfair is the Chinese have taken 'dog' off the menu in the 112 Olympic restaurants.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Yes but you can still get a nice roast donkey haunch if you want too.

 

[jomar]

Totally unfair! I liked watching the women in the skimpier suits.

 

[oggbashan]

Totally unfair! I liked watching the women in the skimpier suits.

You'll have to use your imagination.

We authors should have plenty of that.

Just imagine helping an attractive person get in (or out) of their Speedo Laser...

Og

 

[jomar]

You'll have to use your imagination.

We authors should have plenty of that.

Just imagine helping an attractive person get in (or out) of their Speedo Laser...

Og

I will do my best. And pray that beach volleyball doesn't move in that direction.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Totally unfair! I liked watching the women in the skimpier suits.

Oh wait a minute - you mean to tell me this is a full body suit?

That's it - on behalf of pervs of all genders who enjoy glorying in or lusting after healthy young human bodies, I protest! This outrage must cease!

:caning: :caning: :caning: :caning:

 

[bronzeage]

What's really unfair is the Chinese have taken 'dog' off the menu in the 112 Olympic restaurants.

It's just off the menu, not off the stove.

 

[oggbashan]

Oh wait a minute - you mean to tell me this is a full body suit? ...

Yes. Video (in Italian)

Og

 

[Trombonus]

The one time I try and make a serious thread and everyone just jokes around. This place is disappointing me more and more by the day.

 

[TxRad]

The one time I try and make a serious thread and everyone just jokes around. This place is disappointing me more and more by the day.

Whose Joking? Throbb and I were dead serious.

And I'm pretty sure Roxy was too.

 

[jomar]

Dp...

 

[jomar]

Whose Joking? Throbb and I were dead serious.

And I'm pretty sure Roxy was too.

Me too.

 

[neonlyte]

The one time I try and make a serious thread and everyone just jokes around. This place is disappointing me more and more by the day.

Oh dear...

Trom... a description of what had changed pre-LZR and post-LZR might have helped. I don't see it as much different from when competitors started shaving body hair to reduce drag, some gain an advantage temporarily. Everyone will have the LZR suit soon. Id put performance improvement down to more than the suit, UK swimmers have also been breaking records, diet, training and Olympic year all add incentive to better performance.

 

[Trombonus]

Oh dear...

Trom... a description of what had changed pre-LZR and post-LZR might have helped. I don't see it as much different from when competitors started shaving body hair to reduce drag, some gain an advantage temporarily. Everyone will have the LZR suit soon. Id put performance improvement down to more than the suit, UK swimmers have also been breaking records, diet, training and Olympic year all add incentive to better performance.

Well, I don't know much about it, only that I've seen a few segments on ESPN talk about it. Plus the results are pretty insane. 47 U.S. and World records broken in the span of a few days? That's nuts, and all were broken by swimmers wearing this suit.

I'm inclined to agree with you on the athletic ability, but I do think this suit adds a little extra to the mix as well.

I had hoped that I could learn more about the whole situation before making my own opinion on it. And no, I haven't made up my mind about this subject. It was just something that piqued my curiosity is all, and I wanted to learn more. Guess that was just wishful thinking.

 

[neonlyte]

Well, I don't know much about it, only that I've seen a few segments on ESPN talk about it. Plus the results are pretty insane. 47 U.S. and World records broken in the span of a few days? That's nuts, and all were broken by swimmers wearing this suit.

I'm inclined to agree with you on the athletic ability, but I do think this suit adds a little extra to the mix as well.

I had hoped that I could learn more about the whole situation before making my own opinion on it. And no, I haven't made up my mind about this subject. It was just something that piqued my curiosity is all, and I wanted to learn more. Guess that was just wishful thinking.

I imagine the records were broken in the US Olympic trials?

There is a interesting article here about the spree of record breaking, putting perspective with other Olympic years... it seems from my read it is not all down to the LZR suit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/swimming/7346071.stm

 

[tickledkitty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6PyoPaTzks&feature=related

Here's a better video. I think it's pretty fascinating that wearing it could make such a difference.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Here's another bit about the suit, in English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOVwX4YL9no&feature=related