Forty-four out of 48 world records have been set since February 2008 by swimmers using LZR. What is LZR? Is it the next generation of designer steroids superceding THG?

LZR is different from THG in many ways. First, LZR is not a closely guarded secret. It is openly promoted and marketing by its creators. The athletes openly display their use of LZR to all of their competitors and the general public. Secondly, LZR has been officially approved by FINA (the international governing body of swimming) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has no problem with it! Most importantly, LZR is not an anabolic steroid - it is a swimsuit.

Even though FINA and the IOC have approved the Speedo LZR Racer for Olympic competition, it has stirred controversy nonetheless. For example, Italy’s head swim coach Alberto Castagnetti calls the swimsuit “technological doping.” LZR Racer swimwear is banned in Italian competitions (”FINA rules to allow high-tech swimsuits; Italian coach calls it ‘technological doping’,” April 8).

“This is going down a very dangerous road,” Castagnetti told the AP. “It removes the purely competitive aspect of the sport and puts outside factors into play. Swimming has always been based on ability. Now, there are other aspects. It’s like technological doping. It’s not in the spirit of the sport.

Marshal Cohen of the NPD Group says the LZR Racer is comparable only to anabolic steroids in its performance enhancing effects leading to world records.

But not since the advent of steroids have we seen so many record-smashing events.

But many people defend the LZR Racer too such as those individuals whose ethical compass is determined the arbitrariness and capriciousness of rules and laws. Hey, if it’s legal and/or not banned, then there is nothing wrong with it! Of course, this ignores the real questions of whether or not something should or should not be banned/legal in the first place (”Speedo LZR Racer Suit - Is Michael Phelps Cheating?”, June 30).

“Swimming’s governing body, FINA, approved the LZR for the Olympics.”

Swimmers wearing the suit shouldn’t be accused of “technological doping.”

They’re following the rules of the sport. End of story.

[...]

Being on a regimen of anabolic steroids and other banned substances is completely different from competing in an APPROVED suit.

Other individuals like Olympic swimmer Gary Hall, Jr. are blaming widespread use of anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs for the numerous world records this year, trying hard to deflect controversy from the performance enhancing effects of the Speedo LZR Racer (”Hall Raises The Specter Of Doping,” June 30).

“Doping has existed in the sport in the past, that’s true,” Hall said. “Do I think it’s getting worse? Yeah, I do.”

[...]

“Can suit technology distract from another issue?” Hall said. “I think it’s pretty convenient for those who are indulging in the other issue.”

According to the manufacturer, the Speedo LZR Racer jammers and bodysuits are “very high performance products and limited numbers are available worldwide” which has created a not so level playing field (or swimming pool) for competitors.

But Speedo thinks the creation of an unlevel playing field and an unfair advantage for certain athletes is a wonderful thing (”Speedo: Making a Splash,” June 30)!

“It’s very nice to have your competitors recognize they’re at a disadvantage,” says Speedo’s marketing chief Stu Isaac. “They’re doing our marketing for us.”

Of course, sports is all about gaining an advantage on your opponent. I don’t know a single competitive athletes who would be against putting their opponents at a disadvantage.

A level playing field may not exist with swimwear technology. But at least it exists in anabolic pharmacology as Victor Conte has previously stated with regard to the use of anabolic steroids in elite sports.

The system is inept. There is a level playing field – it’s just not the one people want.