summer 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

Nuclear Olympics

As the Summer nears, reports surface of multiple security sweeps for radioactive material at Olympic sites

According to the Canadian Press, Chinese and American officials are working in cahoots to remove radioactive material from Olympic sites in advance of the games this summer in Beijing. The work is the latest hurdle the Chinese must overcome with the world watching closely. From pollution to human rights, press coverage to date has been less about the sport and more about the host.

American experts from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have taken at least two trips to China hoping to eliminate any material that could be used as a dirty bomb.

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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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