The Olympic trials are underway and world records for swimming are being broken left and right.  The reason?  Obviously the talented athletes play a part, but the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit has to be given credit as well.

The suit is the first of its kind and the fastest racer ever made.  It uses "Pulse" fabric which, aside from being water resistant and fast drying, uses special compression technology to reduce "muscle oscillation and skin vibration."  The suit also features ultra low drag panels placed at spots along the swimmer's body in order to create the most hydrodynamic suit possible.  The entire suit is ultrasonically bonded (and therefore seamless) and provides a "core stabilizer" which acts as a corset around the swimmer's midsection.  Not only is this the fastest swimsuit ever, but it is probably safe to say that it is the most uncomfortable as well.

The LZR has become extremely controversial because of the "unfair advantage" that it gives those who wear it.  Because Speedo is the only brand to use such advanced technology, swimmers endorsed by other brands have been given permission to wear the LZR no matter who their backer is.