Japanese firms unveil swimsuits to catch Speedo

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — Three Japanese sportswear companies on Friday unveiled new swimsuits they hope will match Speedo's high-tech, record-breaking LZR Racer ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August.

Mizuno, Asics and Descente, who are contracted to the Japanese Swimming Federation, said they had come with the best they could offer by Friday.

"They have come up with products with confidence to excel Speedo. I think the products are promising," Koji Ueno, head of the federation's competition committee, told a news conference.

Japanese Olympic swimmers including defending breaststroke champion Kosuke Kitajima are obliged to wear products made by either of the three firms, although most say they would prefer Britain's Speedo.

On May 7 the federation gave the...