http://www.smh.com.au/news/swimming/libby-trickett-and-leisel-jones-set-new-records/2008/04/26/1208743295262.html

This is ridiculous. These world records are now a dime a dozen and the symbolic image of them (at least in swimming) has now been ruined.

There can be no dispute that these suits improve performance dramatically. I find respect for the swimmers that wear them diminish and disappear, although admittedly they have little choice if the rules allow them. In that sense the IOC is a disgrace.

It's been said before that the Olympic Games represent commercial interests. Well add this sham of human achievement called swimming to the top of the list. Now it's about companies competing that develop products to enhance swimming.

This sporting equipment also appears to corrupt the competition in more subtle ways. Poor nations for example can't compete with the expensive uniforms of the wealthier nations. It would be in some ways more equitable for drugs to be open season in the Olympic Games, since they are cheaper and easily replicated.

Which brings me to the whole zero tolerance of drugs by the IOC and satellite sporting authorities. The argument against drugs? Because it diminishes the achievement. But now it's ok to coddle these athletes in costumes that will deliver them to their destinations faster than more deserving record holders? Stupid. I've had problems with these costumes before, but now it's hit a critical point for me and I can't abide this nonsense and charade any longer. The line should have been drawn at maximum skin area exposure (ie speedos for men, similar for women) that's it.

Simple solution Steel.Let everyone wear the same enhanced swim suits.End of story.

I used to think that televised sport was just for the masses who needed to entertained so they didnt rise above their positions in life...that it was a plot by the rich to keep the ordinary folk in their place lest they rise in revolution and the rich get dethroned.
My thoughts havent changed all that much since those days.
Sport in large amounts is quite brainwashing and prevents mans' spirit from rising to it rightful and noble place.
Look what footy does to the poorer folk? It controls them.
Everything these days is "plastic" including swimming and think one of the big problems is the media.
Who controls the media gets to manipulated the great sea of mankind.
Best we focus on the One Who never changes...Jesus Christ, Gods Son. Hebrews says 13:8...Jesus Christ "the same yesterday, today and forever".
Everything else wears away.
God is always there...you can invite Jesus Christ in anytime of any day and be set free to live a real life.

For once I agree with Arjay.

Gibo

What sport would Jesus play?

What sport would Jesus play?
Why He would be a Fisher of men!

Gibo

On first glance, I feel I just walked into your response there.

However, on closer inspection, your reply is rather chilling.

People are just sport for a god.

The disciples gave up their livelihood , families and friends to follow Jesus around. In fact they sacrificed a lot more than did Jesus.

Jesus disappeared from god's side for 33 earth years, that's 33 years out of eternal life. So I guess it wasn't much more than 'sport' for Jesus.

You asked the question Fractelle.
I told you what He does.
What do you think Jesus is going to do, eat you?
No... He Gathers people from all nations wherever He can for Gods Kingdom.
You knew what I was saying.

I know Gibo. Wouldn't it be awful to be sucked in — along with millions of other people — to the thoughtless worship of something really pretty mindless, but something that stopped you from assuming real responsibility for your life and all its ramifications?

Wouldn't that be just dreadful?

Ah Vanilla.
I was down at the bottom of the barrel when Jesus came into my life.
I was a drunk and a few weeks from suicide when I read a christian book on the last days (The Cosmic Conspiracy by Stan Deyo) and lo and behold right in the middle of the book was a prayer of repentence and as I was reading that prayer The Holy Spirit poured into my life and I got what they call a Supernatural Salvation. Instantly I was born again (John 3:3) and no longer needed any of the pathetic crutches of life.
Jesus was now my Lord and Saviour and the crutch when bad times came... and Ive never looked back.
It was fantastic above all that is fantastic... getting saved.
I floated above the ground for weeks...I was that taken up by it all.
And since then I have met the most wonderful people I could have imagined...in many christian churches. I hope you make it too.

Swimming is perhaps the least influenced by artificial enhancement of all the sports. Think tennis without rackets, running without sports shoes, pole vault without a pole, javelin with an old stick etc. Unless you demand they all swim naked then there is no practical way to draw the line and rule this material out. You can with fins, but not suits.

freediver "Swimming is perhaps the least influenced by artificial enhancement of all the sports."

Not anymore, which was my point.

> "Think tennis without rackets, running without sports shoes"

Tennis isn't based on something so tangible and simple as time measurements.

>"pole vault without a pole, javelin with an old stick etc."

That's a pretty stupid analogy for what should be obvious reasons. Ok lets play...cut off a swimmers legs and you can use the pole vault analogy. Javelins can't change all that much. There are probably very fine guidlines. A suitable analogy for the javelin would be making a javelin with some kind of wing element to retain lift.

> "Unless you demand they all swim naked then there is no practical way to draw the line and rule this material out. You can with fins, but not suits."

Why not? I gave an example. Maximum skin exposure. For men, this means speedos. No leggings, no body suits. Simple.

Arjay "Simple solution Steel.Let everyone wear the same enhanced swim suits.End of story."

And who will pay for them? As I stated in the article, poorer nations may not be able to afford these suits etc... Secondly, why not keep the rules consistent? it's not hard

I think the Olympics lost all credibility once the athletes started to wear clothes.

Vanilla,

'Wouldn't it be awful to be sucked in — along with millions of other people — to the thoughtless worship of something really pretty mindless, but something that stopped you from assuming real responsibility for your life and all its ramifications?'

When I first read your post I thought you were talking about sport:-)

Thank God you were talking about religion;-)

Why does every thread have to denigrate to be about religion or gender inequality...

I don't think JC was into a particular sport. He was more of a cross trainer.

I find most sport deadly boring, as so much of it relates to wealth, and the body that can put more money into development and scientific study usually has a head start. Whether this is motor racing, running shoes or football boots or even hockey sticks and golf clubs.

The Institute of Sport gave Australia a beneficial start by research into training and diets, so what's the difference in researching boat design for rowing or bows for archery. I'll bet they get minor changes each year to try and get an edge over the competition. As has been mentioned, items like tennis racquets, vaulting poles, bicycles, sailing boats, all of which are used in the Olympic Games have been enhanced over the years. so swimming suits probably only make a minor difference.

As an aside, I have always said that beauty pageants should ban all make-up and breast enhancements, plastic surgery, hair colouring etc. We might then get a true look at natural beauty. However we all live in a false world of immagery

Snake

I agree with your points regarding the Sports Institute - no other educational facility receives as much assistance as do sports, there would be no problem in finding the dollars for swimsuits as with anything else to do with Australia winning medals for sporting prowess.

Now a Beauty Pageant based on real beauty. I'd like to see that. But make it open to men as well - that would make it really interesting.

:-)

The Greeks obviously knew what they were doing when they stipulatated that everyone should compete in the nude.
Bring back that rule and we all wil be watching with great interest.

But Theodeb,swimming in the nude?All the floppy bits will greatly increase times.The only world records we'll see will be channel switching.