Swimsuits

Duncan Goodhew (that completely bald swimmer from a few years ago for those of you who don't know who he is) has recently said that he disagrees with the current trend for hi-tech swimsuits that are causing so many world records to be broken over the last few years. Many long-standing world records have been broken by swimmers wearing the Speedo LZR racer. This suit has not actually been independantly verified as complying with the sports guidelines. Goodhew disagrees with the suit on the basis that swimming should be just the swimmer and the water. To an extent, I agree with him. However, it is difficult at what point using a specially designed swimsuit gives an unfair advantage. Technically, all swimsuits are designed to be streamlined, so unless swimmers either a) swim naked, or b) swim wearing pyjamas or jeans, then an artificial line must be drawn. From my point of view, the disadvantage of engineered suits is that it is almost pointless comparing my times with professional times. The main advantage is also that it is pointless comparing my times with professional times, so I have an excuse to not be as good. Maybe thats a bad thing.