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Speedo’s new swimwear technology has been unveiled, with promises of record breaking results at London 2012.
The swimwear manufacturer claims their radical approach to swimwear means performances will be faster than those offered by previous high tech suits which were outlawed under technological doping rules in 2009.
Fina guidelines that came into force in January 2010 outlawed full-body polyurethane suits. Now Speedo say that their ‘Fastskin3’ system of cap, goggle and suit engineered to work in unison will give swimmers significant gains in areas that traditionally slow them down, such as oxygen economy, with an 11 per cent improvement enabling them to swim stronger for longer.
“We hope this will result in new records being broken,” said Dr Tom Waller, the head of Speedo’s Aqualab development laboratory. “We believe we’ve created the opportunity for athletes to really reach their maximum potential. We anticipate (Michael) Phelps will wear the full system and we’re really excited about what he’s going to be able to achieve wearing it.”
Phelps and British swimmers such as Rebecca Adlington and Liam Tancock have been working with Speedo for the last three years to test and refine the system, using CGI technology and sport scientists.
“It makes me feel completely at one with the water,” said Phelps. “I feel confident, I feel comfortable and I feel good knowing I am wearing the fastest elements.”
In 2012, the vast majority of swimmers will have flexible contracts which will allow them to wear that Fastskin3 even if they are sponsored by a rival.
