SPORTS | TECHNOLOGY
From Issue #16
Threads of Gold
The Science of Olympic Clothing
By James Chung

Any advantage, even a few milliseconds, can be the difference between a gold medal and no medal. Sports apparel leader, Nike, has spent millions of dollars in pursuit of hundredths of a second to ready athletes for the Athens Olympics. Check out some of their latest innovations designed with speed in mind.

ZOOM CELAR 2 When Nike developed the Celar with Marion Jones, her needs were simple — a lightweight, versatile track shoe with teeth for the turn. The result is the first articulated plate designed to be anatomically correct for the turn in the 200m/400m. It has a streamlined, zipperless shroud that enhances aerodynamics, and is feather light at 161.59 grams.

ZOOM MARATHONER This shoe is lightweight (192.77 grams) but withthe support and durability high mileage demands, as 42km (marathon length) translates into thousands ofstrides. The strong, breathable mesh panels, designed to counter the heat of Athens, are complemented by small holes in themidfoot and outsole for ventilation top to bottom. The outsole of the shoe is flat, for a smooth,supportive transition heel to toe. Zoom Air cushioning in the heel keeps things fast, snappy and cushioned.

SWIFT SUIT (as seen on Perdita Felecien here) Innovations include zoned aerodynamics, strategic seam placement, articulated fit, low friction zones and thermoregulation. The suit is designed with mesh ear holes in the hood, seams in the back of the suit, a hidden front zipper and sleeves that extend to cover parts of the hands, all of which should result in reduced drag, and faster times.

PRECOOL VEST Only 25% of our total bodies’ energy goes to moving muscle and 75% is used to regulate heat. The compression PRECOOL Vest slows the rise of an athlete’s core body temperature by 19%. It slowly lowers body temperature over the course of 60 minutes through ice packs housed in the close-fitting vest, giving the athlete a chance to cool the body before a long-distance activity. Removing the vest just prior to the starting gun gives the athlete’s body — and thus, the athlete—a virtual head start.

V. CARBON MAX The eyes lead the body. The V.Carbon Max was created to provide visual accuracy at high velocity. Nike’s Max Lens Technology provides the biggest sweet spot of any sport lens. The frameless, “flying” lens eliminates visual obstruction and reduces fogging by increasing airflow across the lens. Carbon fibre and titanium keep it strong and light, and the ventilated, rubberized nose bridge ensures stability and comfort.

Follow Faze on Twitter @FazeMagazine