Ban the tech suits?

Considering the use of PEDs and tech suits, I really wonder if Phelps really surpassed Mark Spitz's WR set in 1972. Dolphin 2 You mean the record for # of gold medals? In that case, I'd argue that if the suits weren't used (by anyone), Phelps still sets the record. Suit or no suit, the man is fast.

This is an absurd statement. A fast suit can make a slow swimmer fastER, not fast. If for example the suits produced a 2% advantage like Mark Shubert claimed - then a slow swimmer (lets say 1:10 in 100 SCY free) - would go 1:08.6. What is the cut off? What times make a swimmer slow and what times make that same swimmer fast? Is a swimmer slow at 100.00 and fast at 59.99 for a certain race? Or is a 55.00 slow and a 54.99 fast? Or 50.00 slow and 49.99 fast? Or 45.00 slow and 44.99 fast?

In reviewing this endless discussion, it seems that the people who have the biggest problem with tech suits are those that really wouldn't benefit from them much at all (i.e. slow). Are there any Top 10 swimmers who share the view they are the demise of swimming? From what I've seen, the fastest swimmers have embraced technology changes in the sport. Actually, it's probably that way in all sports. It also strikes me that the fastest swimmers have been swimming since they were kids and therefore have a greater right to claim the purist argument than others, yet don't do so. Maybe the claim of purist is from cheap people who aren't very good to begin with. Random thoughts. They embrace it because they compete against others who are using the technology. They embrace it because they are supplied free suits. They embrace it because times drop and if you are racing you want the lowest time possible. That doesn't mean they are the best thing for the sport.

They embrace it because they compete against others who are using the technology. Using new suits or not using is an individual choice. If you don't like racing in them or competing against others that do use them, simple solution... find something else to do. If you want to compete in masters and don't want to spend the money on a tech suit, then don't spend it. Swim only for your pleasure(and don't compare your times with theirs) but don't gripe because others are using tech suits They embrace it because they are supplied free suits. Do you really want to lump all of them into this group? I would be willing to bet a good number of them don't get them for free. They embrace it because times drop and if you are racing you want the lowest time possible. Again, what is the problem with wanting the best possible time? If you ask people 5-10-15 or more years from now, most probably won't remember what suit they were wearing. They will remember their fastest times.

That doesn't mean they are the best thing for the sport. Doesn't mean they are bad for the sport either.

Using new suits or not using is an individual choice. If you don't like racing in them or competing against others that do use them, simple solution... find something else to do. If you want to compete in masters and don't want to spend the money on a tech suit, then don't spend it. Swim only for your pleasure(and don't compare your times with theirs) but don't gripe because others are using tech suits It isn't a choice for serious competitors. You either use a fast suit and win or use a slow suit and lose. Do you really want to lump all of them into this group? I would be willing to bet a good number of them don't get them for free. I do not know who are paid to use certain suits or who are given suits. I would suspect that the worlds best swimmers are given suits. Again, what is the problem with wanting the best possible time? If you ask people 5-10-15 or more years from now, most probably won't remember what suit they were wearing. They will remember their fastest times. Wanting the best possible time isn't a problem. To me using tech suits to achieve an artificially low time is what I do not agree with. I thing everyone will remember the 2008 olympics for many many years. Too many records were broken. There was too much contoversy regarding the number of suits and types of suits.

I don't know one single Top 10 USMS swimmer who gets their suits for free, do you? I doubt USMS takes a different position on tech suits than USA swimming.

It isn't a choice for serious competitors. You either use a fast suit and win or use a slow suit and lose No, it is a choice. Serious competitors still decide on what suit(tech or not) to wear. They don't have to wear a tech suit, if they don't want too. And you assume they win and lose based on the suit worn...not the actual person in the suit I do not know who are paid to use certain suits or who are given suits. I would suspect that the worlds best swimmers are given suits. Ok, so were talking about USMS top swimmers or people like Phelps, Sullivan, Bernard, Lochte? If you are talking about USMS...majority buy their suits(yea, some probably have a good relationship to get discounts but not totally free) If you are talking about people like Phelps, Sullivan, etc. then it is no big secret that they get all the suits. Your gripe doesn't hold much weight here since the professionals are provided all their racing suits, goggles, training suits, equipment, etc. Wanting the best possible time isn't a problem. To me using tech suits to achieve an artificially low time is what I do not agree with. It isn't an artificial time. A swim that is completed legally in a race, wearing suits that are approved by the sports governing body, are real...legitmate times(like it or not) It's only "artifical" in your mind because you don't like the fact that the sport is attempting to move forward and men aren't wearing briefs anymore. I thing everyone will remember the 2008 olympics for many many years. Too many records were broken. There was too much contoversy regarding the number of suits and types of suits Doubt it. The 2008 Olympics will be remembered for Phelps winning 8 GOLD MEDALS.

And if you bothered to actually read anything that Paul Smith or several other EXPERIENCED swimmers have said..."if you are swimming faster with paddles on, then you are dropping your elbows on the catch" So, to put it in layman's terms for you, if you are swimming faster with paddles, then you have stroke flaws. Go back to your hole and leave the swimming to people that actually have competed and still compete. Hey Thewookie Using a tech suit to increase speed isn't competing at swimming. It's competing at who can buy the supposedly "latest and greatest" from the suit makers and nothing but a "store bought" achievement. And at $450 for an LZR, it's an expensive buy at that. Dolphin 2

Hey Thewookie Using a tech suit to increase speed isn't competing at swimming, it's competing at who can buy the "latest and greatest" from the suit makers and nothing but a "store bought" achievement -and at $450 for an LZR, it's an expensive buy at that. Dolphin 2 It takes MORE than a techsuit to increase speed. If you knew anything about the sport, you would understand that a swimsuit is only one of many things needed for a swimmer to increase speed. Something a lot of people seem to forget, esp. one's that want to keep swimming in the dark ages. But, I guess since you only flounder around in a pool once in a blue moon, you wouldn't know how to increase speed..other than fins or paddles. You can't practice loooong slow swimming at a pool, put on a tech suit, and then EXPECT to swim superfast. WON'T HAPPEN. You actually have to PRACTICE SWIMMING FAST in order to swim FAST. Why don't you go back to aquatic park, find flipper and do dolphin dives together.