By: Ethan Tong

At the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Speedo, the company that makes swimsuits and goggles, created a high-tech swimsuit that broke 52 percent of all the world records. Also, the swimmers who wore the swimsuits won 61 percent more gold medals.

The swimsuits even have a name. They are called LZR and LZR pure intent 2.0. Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Murphy, and Regan Smith will be some of the people trying out the LZR.

“The biggest factor in swimming, because it’s in water, is drag, which is far and away the main detractor for speed,” Kevin Netto, an exercise science specialist at the Curtin School of Allied Health in Australia, told AFP. “So anything that will change drag forces, it’s worth its weight in gold.”

Speedo is not the only company trying to help swimmers win in the 2024 Olympics. One of the best female swimmers, Katie Ledecky, is trying out TYR, made by a company called Venzo.

TYR repels water, so the wearer can have better body position and less resistance. Some of the perks may not help so much, but during a race, every advantage helps. The suit has frictionless yarn which was supposed to be used by the military.

“You’re talking about maybe a one percent difference in a race,” says Ryan Murphy. “Any little thing we can get to improve times, improve body position in the water, assist your technique, you’re looking for that.”