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Speedo unveiled the US Swimsuit Federation’s new swimsuit ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The swimsuits that will be worn by U.S. swimmers at the Olympics are called the LZR Intent 2.0 and LZR Valor 2.0 and are designed based on Lamoral Space Tech, a coating technology developed at Speedo’s AquaLab research and development facility and originally used to protect satellites. They are a refreshed and improved version of Speedo’s popular Fastskin swimsuits.
According to Speedo, the original LZR Pure Intent and LZR Valor suits were introduced in 2019, and since then, 56% of individual swimming world records have been broken by swimmers wearing these suits. 61% of the gold medals won at the Tokyo Olympics were won by swimmers wearing Speedo Fastskin suits, including America’s Kaeleb Dressel (who won five gold medals).
The new designs were inspired by the American flag, with different textures and dimensions aiming to create a rippling flag-like effect as swimmers glide through the water. The design team also included a hidden message on the inside of each suit: “Home of the Free, Land of the Brave.”
“This upgrade is science-based and based on input from our accomplished athletes and club swimmers around the world, and retains all of the properties that make Speedo Fastskin swimsuits the fastest in the world,” said Speedo senior vice president Simon Brecon.
Caleb Dressel in Team USA’s new Speedo swimsuit. (Courtesy of Speedo)
Dressel will wear the new swimsuits in her individual events (50m freestyle and 100m butterfly) in Paris, along with Ryan Murphy (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke), Regan Smith (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 200m butterfly), Kieran Smith (400m freestyle) and Abby Weitzer (who will only compete in the Olympic relay). USA Swimming will allow each athlete to choose the right products for their swimsuit, cap and goggle preferences.
“The most important thing for me[in a swimsuit]is that it feels natural,” Dressel says. “Ninety-nine percent of the time we’re in regular Speedos. It’s like we’re just wearing briefs. That’s what we do most of our training with, so I don’t want something that feels drastically different. When I get in the water, I want something that fits me. So I want it to feel as natural as possible. I want it to be light and flexible.”
“I’ve been wearing the Valor a lot this year, which is a lightweight suit, and it fits my body well. All I need is a little bit of buoyancy, a little bit of floatation to keep my hips up, but other than that I want to feel what I feel in practice translate into the race.”
Murphy also said he likes that the technology behind the suits has remained essentially the same.
“It’s one of those moments where you look good and you feel good,” Murphy said.
Smith, who just set a new world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, said the suit is similar to the shapewear women wear in everyday life, fitting snugly to the body without bunching or dragging.
“It’s form-fitting, it’s tight and it’s very flattering, which is nice. Not only that, but it allows you to move every part of your body and doesn’t feel like your muscles are restricted, which is very important in a sport like swimming,” Smith said.
The pool swimming events at the Paris Olympics will take place from July 27th to August 4th.
Regan Smith in Team USA’s new Speedo swimsuit. (Courtesy of Speedo)
(Top photo shows Kieran Smith, Regan Smith, Caleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy in their U.S. Team Speedo swimsuits. Courtesy of Speedo.)
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