Olympics: Suit is envy of Kiwi sprinter

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Sprinter Chris Donaldson would love to squeeze into the new neck-to-ankle bodysuit that could be the height of fashion on the Olympic track this spring.

His Australian adversary, Matt Shirvington, started training this week in the full-length compression suit, designed to cut muscle vibration. It is the latest brainchild from adidas and is set to cause as much of a stir as Ian Thorpe's radical full swimsuit.

Kiwi Donaldson, an adidas man himself, would like to try the suit in training, especially in the cold of Christchurch - "It would keep you warm, but it would also stop your muscles wobbling when they hit the ground, which causes more fatigue."

He talked to his outfitters yesterday about the possibility of a trial.

There is nothing in the rules to stop the speedsters wearing a full suit at the Olympics, but there could be a clash between the suit makers, adidas, and the Australian team's official outfitter, Nike.

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