Eight equipment innovations that could impact Olympic results

Tag : shoe zipper

China sees the Beijing Olympics as a "coming out" party. And so domany businesses, which view the Olympics as a perfect stage tounveil new or recently introduced products.
With the Games opening Aug. 8 (8/8/08), we offer eight innovationsor redesigns that could affect Olympicresults.­­­­
1a. Swimsuits
The era of nearly naked men slicing through Olympic waters is allbut gone. There are still some competitors in the teeny-weenybriefs, but most of the stars - men and women - now preferless-revealing, faster bodysuits.
Speedo, the most recognizable name in swimsuits of all types,unveiled its "LZR Racer" in February. The suit, billed as "the mosttechnically advanced in the world," produced immediate results. OneMarch weekend saw 13 world records by Speedo swimmers; by mid-June,the LZR world-record tally was 38 (19 long course, 19 shortcourse).
Of course, skeptics are plenty, and the sport's elite havecustom-fitted suits.
Speedo says the LZR's many bonuses include 4 percent faster starts,sprints and turns; 10 percent less "passive drag" than its 2004model, FASTSKING FSII; the first fully bonded bodysuit withultrasonically welded seams; "strategically placed panels" toenhance a swimmer's form; and so on. The suit is made of "anultra-lightweight, low drag, water repellent and fast-drying fabricunique to Speedo called LZR PULSE."
And Michael Phelps in a LZR is not likely to hurt sales.
1b. Swimsuits
Speedo's competition includes Adidas, which has come out with the"Techfit Powerweb" suit.
A company description says the suit "features ThermoplasticUrethane Powerbands anchored at key points around the suit, such asaround the waist or above the knees. It is a development of thecompression technology which Adidas introduced in 1998 with theworld's first full bodysuit, subsequently worn by the legendary IanThorpe, who won five gold medals in it."
The suit "works in unison with muscles, helping them to functionlike springs." Power, improved "oxygen delivery" and less fatigueare among the benefits that Adidas cites.
3. Cycling technology
SRM has launched its "Wireless PowerMeter" and "PowerControl VI."In layman's terms - a super-sophisticated bicycle computer.
According to SRM's Leslie Klein, a 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympian inwomen's kayak, "in addition to power, speed, heart rate, cadence,time, temperature and kilojoules of energy, the PCVI will also showaltitude and feet or meters gained over a ride."
American cyclists, including triathletes, will have the SRMequipment mounted on handlebars.
4. Equestrian boots
Riding boots have a whole new look in Nike's Ippeas (the name isGreek for "rider").
No more leather boots with smooth wood soles, a style that hadchanged little since the 1800s.
Nike has introduced "Zoom Air" cushioning, rubber-padded outsolesto improve stirrup action and an adjustable titanium screw-in spursystem (inspired by track spikes) that eliminates the need foradditional hardware on the ankles.
Ippeas have a full-length zipper for easy on-and-off.
Finally, a thin, high-abrasion synthetic rubber material on themedial side of the boot improves grip on horse and saddle andboosts rider-horse communication.
5. Keeping cool
Like Speedo's LZR Racer, the Game Ready Cooling Vest incorporatesNASA technology. The vest, which circulates ice and water, isdesigned for athletes who want to cool their bodies. Game Readynotes that the vest "is also designed to keep surgeons comfortableduring long and hot procedures."
Competition includes Nike's PreCool Vest.
According to Nike, "Since 25 percent of our body's total energygoes into moving muscle and 75 percent into regulating heat,reducing an athlete's core temperature before the marathon or afield hockey match means more energy for the competition itself."
6. Seaworthy sunglasses
Shades can do more for sailors than just cool looks.
Polarized glasses by companies such as Kaenon and Oakley amplifycontrasts. This helps sailors "see" the wind on the water, crucialto effective maneuvers.
7. Gotta be the shoes
Probably the most consistent competition for Olympic business comesfrom shoe companies. It seems that every four years, companies comeup with a new "super" shoe. Nike's track collection for Beijingincludes the paper-thin Flywire. Adidas, an official sponsor of theGames, has a full line of "Made for Beijing" equipment. NewBalance, Puma, Pony and China's own Li Ning are among the others inthe great shoe race.
8. Video streaming
NBC, MSN and Microsoft have combined forces to present"NBCOlympics.com on MSN."
Plans are to deliver 2,200 hours of live competition video, withmore than 20 simultaneous live video streams at peak times; morethan 3,000 hours of on-demand video; an "enhanced playback" mode;related content, including results, statistics, biographies, rulesand analysis; live video alerts, and "social networking" featuresfor fans and their friends.