SCI FI PI

With the Olympics in full tilt, it falls on us at SCI FI to point out that without futuristic technology the whole 'higher, faster stronger' thing would still be nothing more than a dream for the world's athletes. We won't mention the leaps and bounds in genetic manipulation, hormone 'therapy' and chemistry that may also be 'assisting' the athletes in their dreams of Olympic gold, because, as we all know, and honest politicians have told us this, that sort of thing just doesn't happen. Until someone gets caught.

Still, within the bounds of the rules (and good taste) the future of technology in sport looks to be exciting. Here's ten of the latest best blends of mindblowing futurisma and good old fashioned common sense - that are being used, right now, in Beijing:





1. Speedo LZR Racer Swimsuit

EVENT UPGRADED Swimming

WHAT'S NEW? In the Olympic swimming pool, just a couple thousandths of a second can be the difference between winning and losing, so even the tiniest competitive edge is critical. Back in Athens we saw plenty of swimmers using the Speedo Fastskin to good advantage, but now Speedo has upped the ante with the LZR Racer. Developed in association with NASA and the Australian Institute of Sport, the LZR Racer uses a woven elastane-nylon and polyurethane material that's said to hold the body in a more hydrodynamic position, while expelling water and allowing for improved oxygen flow to the muscles. It also has ultrasonically welded seams to avoid drag. Which is nice.

DOES IT WORK? Since the suit was launched in February of this year, dozens of world records have already been broken by swimmers using the LZR Racer.




2. Adidas AdiStar Rowing Shoes

EVENT UPGRADED Rowing

WHAT'S NEW? It turns out that leg power is equally, if not more important than arms and legs in rowing. To transfer all of that power into moving the scull, your feet need to have a solid and stable foundation, and Adidas provides one with their latest "made for Beijing" AdiStar rowing shoe. Featuring a lightweight rowing plate with stabilizing outriggers, the AdiStar is designed to provide a more direct transfer of power. It also has a so-called "speed heel" with built-in ventilation that's designed to keep the feet at the optimum temperature.

DOES IT WORK? Having a firm foundation for your feet allows all of your stroke power to be transferred into moving the scull.




3. Doppler Lidar

EVENT UPGRADED Sailing

WHAT'S NEW? For years Olympic sailors have been using Doppler radar systems similar to what weather forecasters use on TV, but the problem is these systems are pretty useless when there's little or no wind, which is precisely when sailors need the information. This year in Bejing they're using a Doppler Lidar system, which scans the surface of the course with laser beams and measures beam scatter to provide a real-time readout of wind speed and direction over a large area.

DOES IT WORK? While all teams will have access to any data provided by the Doppler Lidar system, how well each team is able to interpret that data could mean the difference between winning and losing.




4. Morini CM 162 EI Air Pistol

EVENTS UPGRADED Air Pistol and Pentathlon

WHAT'S NEW? If you figured air pistols and cutting-edge technology didn't go hand in hand, think again. Modern air pistols use a compressed-gas capsule to propel the pellet. The catch is that even the tiniest uneven force in the firing action can be the difference between a bull's-eye and a lower score. The rules dictate that the trigger must require a minimum force of 500 grams to fire, but smoothness is still critical. The new CM 162 El from Swiss manufacturer Morini takes this thinking a step further by replacing the traditional mechanical trigger with a switch that operates a battery-powered microchip-controlled firing mechanism. Two AAA batteries provide enough juice for 15,000 shots, with a pulsating red LED to indicate battery condition.

DOES IT WORK? A smooth trigger action is critical in pistol shooting, and what could be smoother than a simple switch? Look for many of the top shooters in Beijing to be using the CM 162 El.




5. Nike Precool vest

EVENTS UPGRADED All

WHAT'S NEW? Keeping cool is always going to be a major consideration for many athletes. Just in time for Beijing, Nike has come up with a clever solution. The Precool is a vest that holds a bunch of prefrozen ice packs, similar to those blue ice packs you stick in your esky. The athlete wears the frozen vest for about an hour prior to the start of competition, reducing his core temperature enough so the body won't be wasting energy trying to keep cool.

DOES IT WORK? Keeping cool is likely to be an issue for middle-distance and endurance events, so being able to start the event with you muscles warmed up but your core cool as a cucumber has to be an advantage.




6. Gill Athletics OTE Composite FX Carbon/Aluminum Javelin

EVENT UPGRADED Javelin

WHAT'S NEW? High-tech has its place in even this ancient sport. Rule changes introduced following the Athens games now allow for javelins made from carbon-fibre composites. And while there are strict minimum weights for Olympic javelins, adding carbon fiber can greatly reduce vibration and wobble, allowing for a straighter flight with less wind resistance.

DOES IT WORK? Javelin is another sport where inches count, and anything that gives you a straighter, truer flight has got to be beneficial.




7. Nike Ippeas Riding Boots

EVENT UPGRADED Equestrian

WHAT'S NEW? Equestrian events are about as steeped in tradition as the Olympics gets, and riding technology has practically stood still since the 19th century. Nike has come along to shake things up with a riding boot that addresses several issues at once. First, for comfort, Nike added a long zipper that eases the chore of taking them off. Then they added a special high-abrasion rubber on the medial (horse) side of the boot, to give the rider added control and stability in jumps. Finally in one of those slap yourself on the forehead moments, they replaced those clunky strap-on spurs with a height-adjustable screw-in titanium stud. Brilliant!

DOES IT WORK? While the zipper and screw-in spur are mainly convenience items that make the rider's life a little more comfortable, the extra-grippy inside surface should make it easier to control the horse, with less chance of falling off or being thrown. Fingers crossed.




8. Mizuno Frenzy 120 RB500 Carbon-Fibre Bat

EVENT UPGRADED Softball

WHAT'S NEW? Softball has been an Olympic sport for only 12 years, starting with the 1996 Atlanta games. Traditionally, softball bats have been made from metal composites, but this year expect to see plenty of Mizuno's latest carbon-fibre offerings. The Frenzy 120 RB500 was introduced earlier this year, and uses a new four-way materials axis technology called AX4 to provide a much larger sweet spot.

DOES IT WORK? Having a larger sweet spot with greater driving power could mean the difference between a home run and an out.




9. Nike Aerographics Jersey

EVENT UPGRADED Basketball

WHAT'S NEW? Even since the rules were changed to allow a "dream team" of NBA stars, it was assumed they might as well just hand out the gold medals to Team USA. So it was a bit of an embarrassment when they only managed to come home with bronze from Athens. Which shows that gigantic egos and paypackets can only take you so far. Clearly, Team USA understands that they need to take things a little more seriously, and they are not taking anything for granted in Beijing, so are hoping a new tunic will give them even more of an advantage over the rest of the world. Hardly seems fair, does it? By etching graphic designs into key areas of the garment, they can increase airflow over the skin, while reducing the overall weight by 31 percent.

DOES IT WORK? By increasing airflow and reducing sweating, the Aerographics stop the athlete from wasting energy trying to keep cool. Reducing the weight should also allow them to jump just that teeny bit higher.




10. Adidas Lone Star Shoes

EVENT UPGRADED Running

WHAT'S NEW? NASCAR racing cars are set up to make left turns more easily, because on most circuits that's all they do. So why not do the same for track runners? Working for two years with 400 Metre specialist Jeremy Wariner, Adidas has developed the Lone Star running spike. Track races are generally won or lost in the bends, so by analyzing Jeremy's technique using video and pressure mapping in its lab, Adidas was able to determine that the left foot is used primarily for stabilization, while the right foot delivers more of the power. From that information they were able to develop an asymmetric pair of spikes tailored to the strengths of each foot.

DOES IT WORK? By making his feet more stable through the bends, runners should be able to apply more energy towards moving faster, rather than trying to stay in their lane.