The Supersuit
Arena, an Italian waterwear brand, has created the unthinkable:
a high-tech swimsuit that outraced Michael Phelps —
and it doesn't even have some kind of motor. At the world
championships in Rome this summer, German Paul Biedermann,
wearing Arena's Powerskin X-Glide racing suit, handed Phelps
his first major individual international defeat in four years,
in the 200-m freestyle. The light, polymeric surface of Arena's
full-body supersuit traps air to boost a swimmer's buoyancy,
reducing drag in the water. Biedermann admitted the suit gave
him an advantage, and Phelps' coach threatened to pull the
phenom from future meets if it wasn't banned. Starting Jan.
1, the X-Glide and other swimsuits made from plastic derivatives
are no longer permitted in international competition.
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