Anna Kessel looks at the controversy behind Speedo’s LZR Racer swimsuit
November 23rd, 2008
The LZR Racer is one of the most controversial pieces of sports equipment ever introduced. Critics have accused its manufacturers, Speedo, of ‘technological doping’ and complained it gives its wearers an unfair advantage. But there is no doubt that it works: 74 world records have fallen since the launch of the revolutionary swimsuit in March this year.The suit can take 15 minutes – using a plastic bag over each foot – to put on, as it hugs the body up to 70 times tighter than other suits. Rebecca Adlington won two gold medals in hers, but complained of raw knuckles after the struggle to get it on. The elite swimmers still love them. ‘I feel like a rocket,’ said Michael Phelps, who helped test the suits, before going on to win an unprecedented eight golds in Beijing.