2008 olympics

The Score

Can a Swimsuit Be Too Good?

Officials muddle over their options for fairness as records begin falling due to a single high-tech suit

Even we didn’t guess it would be this good. When I wrote last month about Speedo’s latest swimsuit—an extremely high-tech full-body wonder—three world records had already been broken by LZR-clad swimmers. Coincidence? Maybe. But, after eight more records fell in the past month, the suit is causing some serious waves.

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The Score

Britain's Swim to the Top

A top-of-the-line motion tracking technology may give British swimmers an edge come summer

British swimmers are known for their good form, and they’ll enhance that reputation this summer as they train for the Beijing Olympics using novel motion tracking technology. Research funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in collaboration with UK Sport, will use water-resistant markers drawn on the swimmers’ bodies to provide real-time feedback to coaches and athletes. Unlike the spherical markers used in other motion tracking, the Brits’ markers are painted on to eliminate any effect they might have on drag.

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