Could Speedo Cause Olympic Disaster?
German swimmers fear a disastrous performance at the Beijing Olympics because they will be wearing the wrong swimsuits.
on a side note
does any one feel the the photo of phelps and beard seems a bit too revealing
And, no, I don't share Mel's enthusiasm for the suit.
Well, me neither, but I bet Mel was reacting to the over-the-top thread title. Which isn't Ande's, of course, but was taken from the original article that he referenced.
With all due respect to the many fine swimmers Germany has produced, the following quote
"The German swim federation has to seriously consider it, otherwise we will sink completely into mediocrity"
made me laugh (and begs the question). Let's please not blame a suit for any mediocrity. I bet that if either the Austalians or the US swimmers were banned from wearing the suit at the Olympics, they would still do an excellent job -- true champions will not blame adverse conditions for poor swimming.
As far Mel's contention that a $550 suit will somehow cause swimming's popularity to skyrocket in the US: I believe that the performances of people like Phelps and Hoff will do a better job of that. What did more for cycling popularity in the US, the wins of LeMond and Armstrong, or the introduction of aerobars and Zipp wheels?
And, no, I don't share Mel's enthusiasm for the suit.
Well, me neither, but I bet Mel was reacting to the over-the-top thread title. Which isn't Ande's, of course, but was taken from the original article that he referenced.
With all due respect to the many fine swimmers Germany has produced, the following quote
"The German swim federation has to seriously consider it, otherwise we will sink completely into mediocrity"
made me laugh (and begs the question). Let's please not blame a suit for any mediocrity. I bet that if either the Austalians or the US swimmers were banned from wearing the suit at the Olympics, they would still do an excellent job -- true champions will not blame adverse conditions for poor swimming.
As far Mel's contention that a $550 suit will somehow cause swimming's popularity to skyrocket in the US: I believe that the performances of people like Phelps and Hoff will do a better job of that. What did more for cycling popularity in the US, the wins of LeMond and Armstrong, or the introduction of aerobars and Zipp wheels?
