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Kousuke kitajima, Japanese swimming star, won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games yesterday. He also smashed the world record, sending us into ecstatic frenzy.
As I watched TV I knew that nearly 10 world records and as many Japanese records had been born as of yesterday in the swimming competition. This is unusual number. As far as I watch NHK, there is no explanation for the sudden explosive increase of new world records. But the reason is quite clear. Speedo.
This swimming wear was so designed that it reduces the drag force when you swim, which is the main reason why you have to desperately move your arms and legs to propel yourself in water (Some people use that energy just to float). Conventional swimming wear used to be designed exclusively to prevent water from getting into gap between your skin and the wear that makes you feel like swimming with a parachute. But what made Speedo swimming wear revolutionary is the new idea of changing your body shape by constricting muscles that bulge outward in the water to create drag. Everyone would think that it might possibly interfere with the blood circulation resulting in fatigue of muscles. The fact is it works as a pump and increases the blood flow as you move your muscles.
This is a rare example that science contributes to sports in such a dramatic way.
Then what is world record? What would have happened Thorp had worn Speedo swimming pants?
World record is an honor given to a person who breaks the old record. But this time it may be fair if the honor also goes to the designer of Speedo.