Would it be a disadvantage if Olympic swimmers swam in the nude?

Question

Would it be a disadvantage if Olympic swimmers swam in the nude?

Answer 1

Actually, yes. The new LZR suits make their bodies very streamlined and greatly reduce drag. There would be too much, um, drag and resistance if swimmers swam nude!

Answer 2

They might not feel as comfortable and there would be....uhhh...resistance...the swimsuits help keep the resistance to a minimal...it would be a disadvantage!

Answer 3

I'm not sure if it'd be a disadvantage, but it would probably be awkward for them.  I wouldn't mind seeing Michael Phelps attempt this though

=)

Answer 4

yeah huuuuuge disadvantage.

Answer 5

Disadvantage to my wallet.

Tell me when they are going to have that because I will be rushing to buy the tickets.

Answer 6

The East Germans tried it in the 70's and it proved to be a popular, especially for spectators.  It improved times a bit, but against suits of the time, and was a little faster.  Suits today make it even faster so I don't think it will improve times now.  

Answer 7

Depends on the swim suit and in some cases on the "birthday" suit:-)

According to the Speedo site... The high tech intricate webbing of the LZR suit  has a patented lightweight pulse fabric that compresses the body and reduces muscle oscillation and skin vibration. It has a core-stabilizer that Speedo claims holds the swimmer in a corset like grip. So yeah, a swim girldle makes kicking less tiring and give a boost to the swimmer Not as much as the flippers but still. I can just imagine not having to work so hard maintaining form to keep the hip bones from moving laterally would free up lots of energy for the kick and stroke. I can only imagine though, the suit costs a thousand bucks and supposedly lose effectiveness after a few swims. Phelps throws his away after 5 swims saying it loses it's too loose then. (Boy if he put those on EBay, he'd really make some dough!)

These suits might eventually be banned  cuz as always the sports federation is a decade behind the "competitive advantage" technology. Presently the Swim federation only bans suits that float by themselves in the water. A scientist in Japan is questioning long term health risk (see wired link below)

The Germans were the first to complain that their swim team obligation to Addidas puts them at a competitive disadvantage to the swimmers wearing Speedo LZRs. From the results this past week, they might be right.

Answer 8

lol

:D

yes, because swim clothes have usually been designed to effectively get through water.

love the question though :)

star for you

Answer 9

Back in the 70's an East German study found that many top swimmers could shave a few tenths of a second off their times if they swam in the nude.

Today, with the introduction of the technologically advanced Lazer suit this no longer is the case. This suit makes for less drag and thus easier movement through the water.

Now, this is not taking into consideration how Olympic swimmers might be 'embarrassed' or inhibited by swimming in the nude.

Interesting question.

Answer 10

yea but ill b in line for those tickets tho

Answer 11

There would be a clear advantage for the chinese, as they would not have anything dragging them back. Once again, they would be cheating, if they swam nude. Go USA!