Comments on: Technological doping

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:02:00 +0000

A new term for this form of technological assist. “Wearoids”

By: Marshall

Marshall — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:37:40 +0000

I must quickly agree that the “naked swimming” is not the answer, and the Speedo doesn’t help me sleep much better at night either. The part that really does make me quiver is the concept that we are arguing about LEGAL apparel as defined by the sport (even if it is swimming – point taken, Michaelb). However, let’s compare it to actual “doping” as in the MLB insanity. Mark McGuire used creatin – a legal diet supplement – during his run for the homer record. Compare that with the legislative parade of illegal users today. No comparison – allowed and prohibited, legal and illegal, appropriate and inappropriate, need I go on? Protein is quite a positive when looking to create muscle mass, can be found in red meat, and therefore is enjoyable to consume. Does this give an unfair advantage over a vegetarian? Absurd, isn’t it? I understand the desire of the “old guard” to want to feel they are on equal playing fields, but that would mean we shouldn’t enhance diet, fuels, design, etc. Sorry to Mark Spitz, but progress is progress, and it is good.

By: Molly

Molly — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:27:33 +0000

Swimmers loved switching from nylon to lycra suits, because it reduced drag in the water. Swimmers shave their heads, legs, arms, etc. to reduce drag in the water. Swimmers stopped shaving their heads and started wearing caps because that turned out to have a lower coefficient of drag. “Wear at normal swimsuit”?? Normal as of 1950, 1960, 1990, or today? The only way to resist technological doping is to require all athletes (swimmers, runners, etc) to compete buck naked and with a months worth of hair growth.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:17:31 +0000

In regards to comment 12:
If you don’t believe materials science and fluid dynamics influence performance, that’s crazy. They’re designing better shaped cars today to lower drag; they’re using teflon and other low-friction materials in everything to reduce friction with air and other fluids. It’s the same thing applied to these atheletes. It’s part of our society, and it is part of this sport, plain and simple. I completely agree with James.

By: james

james — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:41:04 +0000

So based on your opinion of “using technology is cheating”, how is a standard Speedo not cheating? Obviously Speedos were the standard in the first “Modern” Olympics. )I added modern so people don’t say “Well why don’t we all just swim naked like the Greeks”, cause realistically that will never happen.) And the standard Speedos have been improving on its own throughout the years so how is that fair then? The new suit is just a big sudden jump in swim suit technology. So how can you say some technology is Ok and others aren’t. Its called PROGRESS. Just like how runners moved from 70s shorts to spandex running suits or how the design of shoes change every month. Do you want to enforce standard shoes for every sport as well?

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:05:32 +0000

I actually find these fancy new swimsuits on the pathetically sad side of things. What swimmers cannot use or wear their normal swimsuits, the standard swimsuit so they have to wear these things now? Why? I don’t the athletes as breaking these records, I see the new suits doing it. What is the point, just have the suits race.

The swimmers are breaking these records based on technology, not talent. I’d rather see the swimmers race in the normal, standard Speedo then it shows it is talent over technology. The suits to me are cutting corners providing a cheap win.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:46:09 +0000

Holy cow, I have heard it all. A swimsuit that gives a competitive advantage??? This despite the fact that (a) it is an article of clothing (b) contains no means of propulsion and (c) is available to any swimmer who wants one…

Unbelievable. Its an Olympic year, everyone’s game is on fire right now. It the athletes not the swimsuits.

And for gods sake, anything that replaces the grape-holder speedo is welcome in this heterosexual’s book.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:12:41 +0000

No, I don’t see the difference between fins and a suit. They’re both passive, by which I mean they don’t give the swimmer extra energy.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:36:15 +0000

I agree that this LZR suit should be allowed in sports. One of the key things aspects that I see has to do with what some of the critics of the new suit call it: “technology doping,” of course referring to performance enhancing drugs. Except the key thing here is that wearing this swim suit does not ruin your body the way that drugs such as steroids do. The reason why I agree that things like steroids should be illegal is not because they make you go faster, but because they are harmful and ruin you in the process. They are an unfair advantage only because other athletes realize this, and do not want to unneccesarily put their bodies through this punishment.
As long as there is no risk though, there are tons of ways that an athlete may get ahead, whether its shaving before a swim meet, or wearing spikes for track, and there’s no one [seriously] saying they should be banned. I personally think that anything should be allowed, as long as all competitors have a realistic opprotunity for using the strategy or equipment, and it does not pose a risk to the athletes health and safety. Anything short of this eventually because a “Harrison Bergeron” sort of scenario.

By: lundy

lundy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:54:22 +0000

Please read the Wiki on Speed Skating and the section on technical developments and the clap skate vs. fixed stake. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_skating

This comparison should put the swimsuit controversy to rest. It’s already been done before the media has just given you something, you think is new, to talk about on forums. :p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_skating