Several swimmers competing at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris will wear new and improved Speedo costumes, which are expected to make them even faster.
Speedo has created a new version of its Fastskin LZR Racer suit, which is the most water-repellent ever.
Inspired by space travel technology, this suit will be worn by top swimmers like Australia’s Emma McKeon, American Caeleb Dressel and Britain’s Adam Peaty.
The suits use a unique coating technology initially designed to protect satellites. They are the latest in a long line of swimwear innovations to reduce drag, which slows swimmers down.
In 2008, Speedo’s full bodysuit, made with NASA’s help, reduced drag and improved buoyancy, leading to many world records at the Beijing Olympics.
However, these suits were controversial and World Aquatics banned polymer-based suits from 2010.
Despite the suits’ advanced designs, there is still debate about how much they actually improve performance.
A 2019 study by the European University of Madrid reviewed 43 studies and found no explicit agreement on the impact of swimsuits, suggesting that improvements in diet and training played more significant roles.
Compiled by Staff Writer
Pictured above: Olympic swimmers.
Source: Paris 2024
