Adidas Launches New “Thorpedo” Suit, Without Thorpe!

By Stephen J. Thomas

BARCELONA, Spain, July 19. LEADING German sports brand Adidas took the perfect opportunity to launch their new full body suit, the adidas JETCONCEPT, the day prior to the start of swimming competition at the World Championships.

In a slick presentation which focused on their star sponsored athlete, Aussie triple world record-holder Ian Thorpe, adidas head of Global Public Relations, Bernd Feldmann explained how the wrist to ankle suit not only reduces the drag that a swimmer faces in the water but also influences the way water flows over the swimmer's body.

"Small riblets", integrated into the new suit, channel the water shifting turbulence that occurs on the body and reduce the amount of water carried on the swimmer's back.

Unfortunately for many at the launch, Thorpe was not in attendance due to the proximity of competition and to avoid breaching the Australian swim team rules regarding active involvement with competitive sponsors while part of the Speedo sponsored national team.

Thorpe said in a pre-recorded video that he was excited by the innovative suit and although it took a little longer to get on (around 15-20 minutes), it will be worth the extra effort if it helps him shave a little off his best.

The "Thorpedo" will wear the new suit in competition for the first time tomorrow when he'll be aiming to win his third consecutive 400m freestyle world championship title.

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