Is Under Armour to Blame for Team USA’s Poor Speed Skating Performance?

My case of Olympic fever continues-- I seem to be oddly interested in any story coming out of Sochi-- with this story that broke earlier today, concerning a lack of medals in speed skating from Team USA, and how their high-tech suits might be to blame.

Sports Illustrated has the full story HERE.

Basically, the story says that in Vancouver 4 years ago, the squad won four medals but has failed to reach the podium this year in Sochi. And, it says the teams high-tech suits, made by Under Amour, might be to blame.

The article explains, "According Three people familiar with the U.S. team, these suits—which were designed by apparel sponsor Under Armour and billed before the Games as a major advantage—have a design flaw that may be slowing the skaters down. These people said that vents on back of the suit, designed to allow heat to escape, are allowing air to enter the suit and create drag that keeps the skaters from staying in the “low” position they need to achieve maximum speed. One skater said team members felt they were fighting the suit to maintain correct form."

The article went on to say, "In January, NBC speed skating commentator Dan Jansen told NPR in regards to the new suits,'When a race is decided by hundredths of a second, sometimes a thousandth now, and you might look back and maybe you wouldn’t know that’s the difference — but there’s a good chance that that would be the difference.'”

The article also said that Under Amour had released a statement saying, "Under Armour will continue to partner with USA Speed Skating throughout the Sochi competition to help ensure these incredible athletes are best positioned to skate with confidence and capture a spot on the podium. We are committed to providing Team USA with the best possible gear, and Mach 39 is the most scientifically advanced and rigorously tested suit ever featured in Olympic competition. While a multitude of factors ultimately determine on-ice success, many skaters have posted personal-best sea-level heat times, split times or race times this week, and we’re rooting for that to translate into medals over these next couple of days."