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As top American swimmers compete for a spot in the Beijing Olympics, another fight is threatening to overshadow the action in the water. NBC’s Leanne Gregg reports. (more)
It’s been said that clothes make the man, but can a suit make the swimmer? That’s the question at the US Olympic swimming trials today in Omaha, Nebraska. A revolutionary new swimsuit has been getting as much attention as the athletes wearing them. NBC`s Leanne Gregg has our story.
At the US swimming trials in Omaha, more than the athletes are making a splash, it’s all about what they are wearing.
“When I put that suit on, I had all best thumbs".
That suit is a LZR, Speedo's new racer that took more than 3 years and millions of dollars to develop.
“You know, it’s faster, the swimmers love it.”
Tested by NASA, the suits designed to reduce drag with bounded seams and fabric that compresses the body.
“Speedo claims its suit is working, so far this year, from swimmers wearing the LZR, at least 38 world records are counted.”
Prompting some international competitors to compare the LZR with technological doping.
“Clearlessly, we'd like to think it's Speedo. We are working as hard to make a suit faster, as the swimmers and coaches are in the pool to make the swimmer faster.”
“we start pulling the back and come down to major…… ”
Another swimsuit maker claims its suits are breaking records too.
“I broke the American record in the 200 butterfly in this suit.”
TYR says it has one of the best hi-tech racers in the market.
“You can take in two different path to the same stop, and we have both achieved a lot of success so far.”
So many athletes are wearing the LZR that TYR filed a lawsuit claiming Speedo with help from USA Swimming has an unfair advantage over other swimsuit makers, something the sports governing body and Speedo denies.
It’s a new era of swimsuits, that began with Australian Ian Thorpe, who won five medals at the Sydney Games while wearing a full body suit. He wore one again for more Olympic glory in Athens, so did Michael Phelps, who plans to wear a LZR during the trials.
“I have a nonsuit question, sorry.”
“You are now my favorite.”
But for many swimmers, it's not about the suit.
“I might just reach to my backpack, and whatever I grab out, that’s what I might wear.”
And most are hoping the attention on swimsuits will not overshadow those winning in the water.
Leanne Gregg, NBC News, Omaha, Nebraska.
