Olympic swimsuits

All but two of the 25 records broken in swimming events at the Beijing Olympics were done wearing the now banned Speedos LZR Racer. Speedos new Fastskin 3 suit claims to make swimmers even faster.

3-system suit
1
Goggles Leak resistant; 180 degree peripheral vision lens

2
Cap 3D mapping used to fit head, face contours exactly

3
Fastskin 3 swimsuit

High stretch, allows movement

Streamlined suit
Main focus is to reduce friction or drag a swimmer experiences in water Hydrodynamic drag Water passing over the body as it moves through the pool

New guidelines ban full-body polyurethane suits Fabric provides compression; streamlines body Compression panels

Form drag Bumps, curves and muscle oscillations on swimmers body; hinder progress in water

Better swimming 16.6%

Reduction in drag on swimsuit resistance
2012 MCT

Bonded seams seams reduce reduce water resistance

5.2%
Reduction in drag on waters surface

11%
Improvement in swimmers oxygen; allows more powerful swimming

Source: Speedo

Graphic: Melina Yingling