While there is no firm data on the effect of the spider man zentai , Speedo points to its own research as showing the “Fastskin” fabric provides a 3 percent reduction in drag – significant in a sport where races are decided by hundredths of a second.

The sport’s governing body asked Speedo and three other  Titan Lycra Spandex Catsuit manufacturers – adidas, Nike and Tyr – to make their high-tech suits available to all swimmers by June 14, giving them plenty of time to get comfortable in the new attire before the Aug. 9-16 trials.

Australians Ian Thorpe and Susie O’Neill wore  Purple Cat Woman Shiny Metallic Catsuit with Black Gloves and St as they set world records at the Australian Olympic trials last month. Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands wore one while setting three world marks in the past two weeks. American Tom Malchow was covered when he broke the record for the 200-meter butterfly at Charlotte, N.C., last weekend.