A Look at 'swimsuit Wars' at U.S. Olympic Trials

SportsA Look at 'swimsuit Wars' at U.S. Olympic TrialsA Look at 'swimsuit Wars' at U.S. Olympic TrialsThe Associated PressWhen a swimmer breaks a record, the first question is often what kind of swimsuit they're wearing. A high-stakes battle between two top swimsuit makers has swimmers making tough decisions, and has landed the two rival companies in court. (July 3)((TRACK))((SUPER: Omaha, Neb.)) ((VO of people looking at swimsuit, PICS of swimmers.)) WHEN THEY'RE NOT WATCHING THE SWIMMERS, FANS ARE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THEIR SWIMSUITS - STATE-OF-THE-ART SWIMSUITS, WHICH TOP SWIMMERS SAY ARE HELPING THEM SHAVE SECONDS OFF THEIR BEST TIMES.((SOT))((SUPER: Olivia Luyckx/Swimming Fan))'It has a pretty big impact on me. It makes me want to wear the suit and see what it feels like.'((TRACK)) ((VO of people looking at, touching swimsuit.)) THE SUIT GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION IS SPEEDO'S LZR (laser) RACER.SPEEDO DESIGNED IT WITH THE HELP OF NASA.IT BOASTS POLYEURATHANE PANELS AND NO SEAMS.THE COMPANY BOASTS THE LASER HAS HELPED SWIMMERS BREAK MORE THAN 40 RECORDS SINCE FEBRUARY.((SOT))((SUPER: Craig Brommers/Speedo))'The Speedo LZR Racer has certainly caused a stir in the swimming world. It's the most talked about swimsuit since Pamela Anderson's in Baywatch.'((TRACK)) ((VO of swimmer wearing suits.)) BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE SUIT CAUSING A STIR.SPEEDO'S CHIEF RIVAL IS TAKING THE COMPANY TO COURT.EXECS WITH TYR (teer) SPORTS CHALLENGE SPEEDO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH USA SWIMMING.THEY CLAIM SPEEDO IS USING ITS HEFTY FINANCIAL CLOUT TO STRONG-ARM AMERICAN ATHLETES INTO WEARING THE LZR RACER.((SOT))((SUPER: Matt Zimmer/TYR Sports))'We would like greater access to what is going on. We certainly think fairness is an issue. We'd like to be sure our athletes are as well taken care of on the national team as any other athletes.'((TRACK)) ((VO of swimmer wearing suit.)) WHILE NOT AS POPULAR WITH SWIMMERS, TYR'S TRACER RISE SUIT IS ALSO HIGH-TECH, AND DEVOTEES SAY IT LETS THEM SWIM FASTER.OLYMPIC HOPEFUL DOUG VAN WIE SAYS THE TRACER RISE MAKES HIM FEEL LIKE A SUPERSTAR.((SOT))((SUPER: Doug Van Wie/Olympic Hopeful))'Going in to a race, it's almost a mental edge, knowing you've put in all the work, but you also have the best technology, and the best suit.'((TRACK)) ((VO of swimmers in suits, PICS of Phelps in suit.)) AS A RESULT, THE SWIMSUIT WARS ARE THE TALK OF THE 2-THOUSAND-8 TRIALS.WHENEVER A SWIMMER BREAKS A RECORD, THEIR BRAND OF SUIT MAKES NEWS.FOR TOP SWIMMERS, IT IS GROWING TIRESOME.EVEN U-S STAR MICHAEL PHELPS - WHO ENDORSES THE LZR RACER - IS AMUSED BY ALL THE ATTENTION.((SOT))((SUPER: Michael Phelps/U.S. Swimmer))'At every press conference, someone asks about the suit. When it comes down to it, I am wearing the fastest suit in the world, and that's fact. But, I just think it's funny.'((TRACK)) ((VO of swimsuits, PICS of swimmers in swimsuits.)) TYR'S LAWSUIT, WHICH SPEEDO EXECS DISMISS AS BEING WITHOUT MERIT, IS ON HOLD UNTIL AFTER THE OLYMPICS.BUT WITH SWIMMING EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE EVENTS, FANS CAN EXPECT TO HEAR A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT SWIMSUITS THIS SUMMER IN BEIJING.JB, THE A-P, OMAHA, NEBRASKA. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

Channel: Sports
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: AssociatedPress

Length: 02:26
Rating: 4.60
Views: 9072

Tags: 'swimsuit  oly  olympic  trials  trials-swimming  u.s.  wars'  

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