BF2S Forums Asterisk By All Michael Phelps’ Records

Varegg wrote:

Performance enhancing equipment is okay imo as long as it's available for all contestants and not only a few ... if NASA designs a über swimsuit they should be obligated to sell it to everyone ...

They are available to all - BUT not everyones sponsors make them. That's the problem. The different sponsors make breakthroughs at different times and swimming is a sport that is supposed to be purely about athletic ability, not equipment. This isn't F1.

It is exceedingly clear that the different swimwear makes a huge difference, which is why the records are smashed, often multiple times a year. There is no other sport where numerous records are broken virtually every time there is a major competition.

I'd like to see some sort of standardisation implemented, not halting improvement, just making sure they are all on a level playing field.

Doctor Strangelove wrote:

Morpheus wrote:

tbh, athleats should compete naked. would eliminate this whole mess

That was the way it was in the ancient Olympics.

I concur it would be the best, and plus random drug testing 2! it would help

Spark wrote:

But this isn't about the results (i.e. 1st-2nd-3rd), this is about the times.

It seems awfully unfair to someone like Spitz, for example (I know that was aages ago but it's the best example) to let these times stand, for example - to me anyway.

What about runners from years ago that broke records in some Chuck T's?

What about when spikes started to be used in running?  Or even wearing shoes in the first place?  What piece of equipment is considered cheating?  I think the line should be drawn when it actually provides a means of propulsion to the athlete.  When its allowing them to preform to their utmost potential then I dont think its a problem.  No matter how you look at it, Phelps still did have to swim those races.  Plus he won some where he didnt wear the suit and others did.