http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/ Engadget Comments for Indifferent swimmers break 8 world records while whining about Speedo's LZR Racer continues http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 10:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
Hell, I'm wearing one right now at my computer. Little tight in the crotch, but hey, I'm up to 60 WPM.]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
That was some funny shit!]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 12:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
It's like the dorks on bikes wearing the yellow Tour de France jerseys.]]>Aug 12th 2008 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
go figure.]]>Aug 12th 2008 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 9:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
the destruction of the records is really coming from a combination of these factors. ]]>Aug 13th 2008 2:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 13th 2008 8:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/They do have big feet don't they?

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
no-one you see, is smarter than he,
and we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder,
flying there-under, under the sea!

Everyone loves the king of the sea,
ever so kind and gentle is he,
tricks he will do when children appear,
and how they laugh when he's near!

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
no-one you see, is smarter than he,
and we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder,
flying there-under, under the sea!
]]>Aug 12th 2008 10:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 10:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 10:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
you don't happen to be american do you?...
...just a guess]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
live, streaming video of Canadian coverage.]]>Aug 12th 2008 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 12:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 12:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 1:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 14th 2008 9:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
Baseball only allows certain types of bats - whether aluminum or wood, you can't just use anything. Corking is not allowed, pine tar is not allowed above a certain level on the bat. Pitchers are not allowed any foreign substances.

In cycling, you're not allowed to use an electric or gas-powered bicycle.

In weightlifting, you have to use standard weights. You can't bring a big anvil onto the floor and try to lift that.

In badminton, you have to use a shuttle of a certain weight. You can't bring a shuttle with you that you've packed with lead so it flies faster.

In most sports, you also have to use an approved uniform, which in all cases are designed to stay out of the way but not actually *enhance* athletic performance. Swimming is the only event where a manufacturer has designed the suit to alter an athlete's body shape and help them go faster.

So I don't consider it "whining" when people complain about these suits. This is the equivalent to filling a shot-put with helium.

And I don't know why these suits were even approved in the first place.
]]>Aug 12th 2008 10:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
This isn't a unique problem to swimming. People can use all sorts of equipment to give themselves an advantage.]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
As for your examples

Weightlifters wear suits that compress their muscles and arms together, as well as wearing shoes that provide better stability and grip and belts that strengthen their backs.

Badminton players wear shoes that provide enhanced stability and grip and are allowed to wear sweat wicking devices to keep it from getting in their eyes and getting on their hands.

Cyclists doing time trials wear helmets that extend far beyond their heads in order to create an aerodynamic advantage.

Shotputters use braces to stabilize their wrists and, oh, there are those pesky shoes again providing enhanced stability and traction


If the swiming dieties want to regulate the swimsuit, it is certainly their prerogative, but comparing it to an electric bike, a corked bat or a helium filled shotput is ridiculous.
]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
No one is going to take this gear and suddenly be world class. If you're already good, it's going to help you, but it's not instantly making you a star (that aero helmet and deep carbon wheels don't even help you unless you can keep that bike at 20+ MPH anyway). The swimsuit is just helping to enhance the abilities that the athletes already have. Phelps, Piersol, Coughlin, Hoff, Lezak and more all made the Olympics and Worlds the past few years, winning and setting World Records without the LZR suit, so obviously it hasn't turned them into something they weren't before.

If the suit is legal, and everyone has access to it, then there shouldn't be any room for complaints about it. Unless we want to try to keep things how they were at the start of the Olympics (cinder tracks, no goggles, no starting blocks), as long as the playing field is level for everyone now, just worry about the races and forget about the suit.]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
I have bigger concerns about the Olympic Games than swimsuits (such as tax dollars supporting athletes).]]>Aug 12th 2008 12:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 1:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
Hint = Win > Lose in terms of money from sponsors and ect.]]>Aug 12th 2008 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Only soccer, basketball, volleyball, and some other sports are "professional" here and get paid. Runners, swimmers, etc. are just people who really like what they do and have lots of dedication.]]>Aug 12th 2008 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/I am going to take a guess here and say that you are probably not from China. ]]>Aug 12th 2008 8:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
>>"FINA, who has the last word on such matters, has approved the suit, says that buoyancy claims are unproven, and has pointed out that all major manufacturers have suits available to all athletes free of charge, removing any concerns that the $500 suits -- which only last for 10 uses -- will pose an obstacle to poorer countries."

>>"FINA ... has pointed out that all major manufacturers have suits available to all athletes free of charge, removing any concerns that the $500 suits -- which only last for 10 uses -- will pose an obstacle to poorer countries."

>>"...all major manufacturers have suits available to all athletes free of charge..."

>>"...free of charge..."



Top notch reading, you guys. Olympic level, even.]]>Aug 13th 2008 2:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/

And in the lead up to game swimmers have broken the "other" swim suit makers deals.


I cant see why they should complain, they are being offered equal equipment, and moanining when they lose to Speedo LZR user]]>Aug 12th 2008 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
There is no denying that the suit gives any swimmer an advantage. It doesn't mean that a swimmer wearing the suit will be faster than another swimmer not wearing the LZR, but the LZR will make any swimmer faster than they would be without it.

SO far I think almost all medal winners have been wearing the LZR. That kind of speaks for itself. In the Men's 200M the silver medalist wasn't wearing one. If he wore a LZR and Phelps didn't would the result of the race been different? If you can clearly say that the LZR gave Phelps an advantage over the silver medalist then you have to look very hard at the legality of the LZR in competition.

In olympic competition it should be one or the other. Either all swimmers wear LZR suits or none of them do. ]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Trust me as a swimmer, there are very few swimmers actually complaining about the suits making people faster. everyone knows its the swimmers ability that matters, not the suit.]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
It is whining to complain about the suits, and it is getting annoying. The suit clearly helps, and it does so in the same manner as hundreds of pieces of equipment have in the past. Few if any tennis players still use a wooden racket. Ditto for Lacrosse, badminton, and many similar sports. Race cars have a variety of technological improvements that have improved track times. Tennis shoes have gone from canvas lace ups to sophisticated composite affairs. Skateboards, which first used clay races and loose bearings, now use sealed cartridge bearings. On and on and on...

Perhaps if people viewed all sports as a team effort, between athletes, supporters, and equipment manufacturers, then they would stop whining. These items are not "technological doping", as they've been called, because unlike doping the effects begin and end with the activity in question. They are just improvements, and I am sick of Luddites who want to have everyone wrestling nude in the dirt with olive oil and running in their bare feet.]]>Aug 12th 2008 12:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/
One of the guys without the suit had a fellow teammate from his own country with the suit.

I don't see this suit as a problem since so many are wearing them. It's not like Phelps or one team is the only one using them....]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 12:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/12/indifferent-swimmers-break-8-world-records-while-whining-about-s/Aug 12th 2008 4:58PM