Related Sections: Future Tech Miscellaneous
Phelps-beating swimsuits proliferating, but are they legal?
There's a techno-storm brewing in the swimming world. After Michael Phelps smacked down seven world records at the Olympics last summer, attention focused on his Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit. Rival technology has surfaced, including the Jaked 01 swimsuit you see here, worn by French swimmer Frederic Bousquet when he beat out Phelps in a 100m freestyle event in Charlotte two months ago.
Not so fast, says FINA, the sports federation that rules over such events. Even though the officials allowed Bousquet to claim the world record wearing that Jaked 01 suit, it was not officially approved. The ruling body disqualified it and nine other high-tech swimsuits for "not passing the test of buoyancy and/or thickness." What the heck does that mean? Besides giving swimmers a skin similar to a shark's, some of these suits trap too much air inside, giving them more buoyancy, which is deemed unfair.
The most frustrating part of this story: Even if the new technology is eventually approved, some swimmers such as Phelps are contractually bound to Speedo, and won't be able to use these faster suits because of legalities. Phelps can still win, though — there's more to winning swimming races than a stupid swimsuit. He'll just have to train harder and lay off that bong for a while.
Via DailyTech
By Farrah Fawcett at 1:43 PM ON 07/02/09
Where the he|| is this guy's JUNK?!?!?!
By NMP at 1:44 PM ON 07/02/09
A professional athlete gives up a lot for his sport?
By Mr. Gumsandals at 1:45 PM ON 07/02/09
When I see something like this, I look at my WWJWD bracelet and ask myself, "What Would John Wayne Do?" And, of course, the answer is, he wouldn't. Of course, he probably wouldn't win any swimming races either, but at the end of the day at least he can walk like a man or, in his case, a funny walking man. Talk about looking like a girlyman.
By scruffynerfherder at 2:35 PM ON 07/02/09
Reminds me of those edited Animes where the leave out the private parts. That has to be uncomfortable.
By Tim at 2:38 PM ON 07/02/09
That's a picture of a woman.
By Icarus at 4:05 PM ON 07/02/09
Definitely not a guy.
By csthio at 4:17 PM ON 07/02/09
looks like one of those shiney tight rubber fetish suits
By csthio at 4:17 PM ON 07/02/09
looks like one of those shiney tight rubber fetish suits
By aikimark at 4:44 PM ON 07/02/09
It is definitely a woman...Lia Dekker.
Look at.
* painted fingernails
* suit cut for female breasts, not male pecs
* muscular tone
* the aforementioned lack of 'junk' bulge
Lia identified with this image in at least two places:
http://www.sportwereld.nl/zwemmen/3309779/FINA_keurt_snelle_zwempakken_goed.html
http://www.brabantsdagblad.nl/sport/5148195/FINA-keurt-snelle-zwempakken-goed.ece
By Muisc at 4:48 PM ON 07/02/09
When did Marilyn Manson start competing?
By ben at 5:31 PM ON 07/02/09
It's a girl, you idiots !!!
By Mihos at 7:52 AM ON 07/03/09
I can never tell girls and french guys apart either.
By saris at 11:39 PM ON 07/04/09
What ever happened to authors citing the source and explaining a bit about the pictures they include in their articles?
By zentinal at 7:04 PM ON 07/05/09
@saris: That was dumped by NBCU at the same time they dumped science fiction. Mr. White's article isn't news, it's Nuuz. Quick, somebody at NBCU, apply for a trademark!
By Tyryt at 11:15 AM ON 07/06/09
Actually, it was poor grammer. They weren't saying the picture was of the male swimmer, only that the style/brand of swimsuit in the picture, was also worn by the swimmer that beat phelps. They could have made it much more clear through.
By dan at 2:57 PM ON 07/07/09
i thought it was a women
By TransientAlias at 11:53 AM ON 07/09/09
I like Girls.
By GermanCrazyGoat at 3:17 PM ON 07/22/09
This looks extremely uncomfortable and looks like it would be a pain to take of, especially after it has been made wet; it'll stick like duct tape and hurt like hal when u try to pry it off!
By Lypiphera at 12:02 PM ON 08/04/09
"Rival technology has surfaced, including the Jaked 01 swimsuit you see here, worn by French swimmer Frederic Bousquet when he beat out Phelps in a 100m freestyle event in Charlotte two months ago."
Poor writing/editing- the picture is of a woman, the article just refers to the swimsuit, not the actual picture.
My question is how the hell do u get that thing on?! You'd need a 3 person team to help squeeze you in to it! I don't envy any guy tryin to shove himself into that suit. Ouchie.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
Lypiphera:
"Rival technology has surfaced, including the Jaked 01 swimsuit you see here, worn by French swimmer Frederic Bousq...More »