American swimmer Natalie Coughlin won two gold medals in the Sydney Olympics four years ago, in addition to a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle.

The two-time gold medalist added an American record to her resume yesterday in that event, but then lost the race by nine hundredths of a second. Read more…

Speedo, makers of fine skull caps and grape slings since 1914, has shaken up the Olympic swimming pool with its newest suit, the LZR Racer. Swimmers clad in the unimpressive-looking bodysuits have posted very impressive times, breaking 11 world records since February. This has international swimming authorities in a tizzy, prompting them to call Speedo to the board.

(Natalie Coughlin, demonstrating the difference between form and function)

Speedo, of course, feels no particular shame about the suit and the many superpowers it gives to its owners. The problem isn’t with a great suit but that many national federations have an exclusive contract with non-Speedo vendors, (adidas, Tyr, Jim’s Swimsuits & Bait and Tackle Shop, etc.) that forbids wearing other companies’ garb.
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