To mark the 80th birthday, Speedo, the world's forefront runner in water sport technology, launched the latest brand of LZR RACER suit, the fastest swimsuit in February. 2008, which has been developed in association with NASA and the Australian Institute of Sport.
The process of the suit development is very long and intense. By taking all the experiences from its previous suits, SPEEDO worked closely with sports experts, coaches and athletes to gather swimmers' feedbacks, which is crucial for the suit design and technological development.
The suit development commenced with the choice of fabric. R&D staff started to look at different fabrics and materials, and tested on whether the materials could work. Speedo has been around the world finding different body shapes and body sizes. A total of 408 elite athletes have been scanned to make sure their body measurement and tested the new suits in Otago University, New Zealand, where SPEEDO's flume is located. The design involves new fabrics that will reduce resistance in the water and provides greater coverage to the arms, legs and even full body.
The LZR RACER, made from ultra-thin, ultra-low and ultra-powerful panels, carries superior compression and gives no seam at all. Low drug panels are embedded into the base fabric to create a "Hydro Form Compression System", which will help compress swimmer's body into a more streamlined shape and enable them to cut through the water with more power and agility.
"When I hit the water, I feel like a rocket," noted Michael Phelps, holder of eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games, who has been involved in the development, "I can't wait to race in the new suit, and this is going to take the sport of swimming to a new level."
The unique design of the latest LZR RACER specially provides swimmers with up to five percent more efficiency in terms of oxygen intake, which will ensure them to swim stronger and faster. There has been different swimming event around the world, and world records are broken. So far 23 world records now have been broken by the swimmers wearing the new LZR RACER.
The SPEEDO LZR RACER suit, which has been approved by FINA , made debut in the world at swimming events from March 2008. The athletes familiarise themselves with the suits before the Beijing Olympics.
Dubbed as the 80th birthday gift to the world of swimming, the LZR RACER has definitely helped the elite athletes achieve their ultimate performances in Beijing.
By People's Daily Online
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