New Speedo swimsuit could break olympic records
Speedo has developed a relatively new swimsuit that could shatter Olympic records currently standing. Since released in February, in all but one of the twenty-three records that have been set, the new Speedo suit has been worn. Understandably, some people are a little upset because of the apparent benefits that the suit offers, which can be considered too much of an advantage over previous suits.Questions are bring raised as to about how much advantage simply wearing this suit offers. Previous records were set based on skill and born talent. With the advances in technology that we are seeing, it is evident that the foundations of these records is being undermined. If you can give Michael Phelps a basic swimsuit and an Olympic-level swimmer the new Speedo LZR, and then that person beat Phelps, would they still be considered a better swimmer?
On the other hand though, is it not true that the current playing field (or swimming pool) is level? If all people are given the same suit, aren't all the swimmers given the same technical advantage? However, not all swimmers wear the same suit during the Olympics, so not all swimmers receive this technical advantage, and that is where the line must be drawn.
With some swimmers given advantages, as Speedo claims can be around two percent, it is simply too much of a technical advantage to be fair. Take for example, the 200m freestyle. In the 200m freestyle, simply wearing a different swimsuit could cut off two seconds from the swimmer's time. In a tight race, what you wear can make the differnce.
Labels: Olympics, Speedo, swimming, world records
