VOA常速英语2008年-Speedy Speedo Swimsuit Source of Olympic Contro

By Paul Sisco
Washington
25 April 2008
 

A new type of swimsuit developed by Speedo is raising Olympic concerns and helping¹ smash world records in Olympic trials. VOA's Paul Sisco has more.

Speedo representatives say it is the most technologically² advanced swimsuit ever developed. It is called the LZR Racer, and swimmers wearing it have already set numerous records in the run up to the Summer Olympics in Beijing. 

American Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps unveiled the suit in spectacular fashion earlier this year in New York.  Several other U.S. hopefuls and Olympic champions joined him on stage.

"I don't know how to quantify how much faster it's going to make me, but I do know it will reduce drag, and for the other athletes not wearing a Speedo in that race, they are at a disadvantage," says world record holder³ Natalie Coughlin.

Swimsuit maker⁴ Speedo scientifically tested the suit for drag, and it has, what the company calls, a "core stabilizer."

"That [core stabilizer] does two things," says Speedo researcher Deb Yeomans. "One, it reduces form drag when the swimmer is swimming. So form drag is making you as tubeless a shape as possible through the water, so it squashes things in. And two, it helps maintain the athlete's body position in the water."

The sport's governing body FINA has approved the LZR Racer for competitive use. But critics say FINA should reconsider before the Olympics, because they say the suit provides an unfair advantage.  Swimmers wearing the suit have broken more than 20 world records since February.

"I've been through a lot of the design states - fantastic experience,” says British Olympian Liam Tancock.

“The seams are actually welded together, so there's no stitching whatsoever," adds Yeomans.

 Speedo calls the LZR Racer the fastest in the world, and expects the world's best swimmers to wear it when they compete in the Water Cube, China's brand new Olympic aquatic⁵ center, next August.

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 technologically   

ad.技术上地

参考例句：

• Shanghai is a technologically advanced city. 上海是中国的一个技术先进的城市。
• Many senior managers are technologically illiterate. 许多高级经理都对技术知之甚少。

3 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。

4 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

5 aquatic   

adj.水生的，水栖的

参考例句：

• Aquatic sports include swimming and rowing.水上运动包括游泳和划船。
• We visited an aquatic city in Italy.我们在意大利访问过一个水上城市。