LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 6/9/08
JAPAN'S INTENSELY BAD DILEMA
Medals or money? That's the decision Japan must make---immediately.
Here's the story: In mid-February, Speedo, the British swimwear company, came out with a new high-tech swimsuit called the "LZR Racer." By the end of May, in little more than three months, swimmers wearing the new suit had broken 38 world records!
Japan is a rising star in the world of swimming. The Japanese national team members, like every elite swimmer in the world, wants to wear the $500 LZR Racer. But the country's swimming federation previously signed an exclusive contract with three Japanese companies, Asics, Descente and Mizuno; and the federation says its swimmers must wear suits made by one of those manufacturers in the Beijing Olympics, which are just two months away.
On June 9th, Japan's top swimmer, 2004 Olympic double gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima, broke two of his own national records at the Japan Open while competing in the LZR Racer. He had been trying to break those records for three years. His new record for the 200 meter breaststroke was nearly a full second faster; an eternity in racing sport. During the three-day meet, eight other national records were also broken by Japanese Olympic team swimmers wearing the Speedo suit.
Meanwhile, the three companies that pay to have the Japanese Olympic team wear their suits, have each come up with their own versions of the LZR Racer. But the swimmers want the real thing, not some sponsor imitation. So naturally, the athletes are crazed by the contractual obligations foisted on them by their national federation. They are pleading to be allowed to wear Speedo's unbeatable suit in Beijing.
Kitajima, who is sponsored by Mizuno, is demanding that his contract terms be changed to allow him to compete in the LZR Racer. The unanimous outcry from the Olympic swimmers, and the startling results from the Japan Open, is forcing federation officials to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. That's where the fun begins.
Here's the problem: the three manufacturers have given the federation---and its highly paid officials---a lot of money. Will the federation have to give some back if the swimmers don't wear the sponsor's suits? Will the officials override the contract if it means they must then take a salary cut? Will the corporations, who sponsor the athletes for the publicity it gives to their brands, say to the athletes, "We want you to win Olympic medals. Our suit is not as fast as that of our competitor, Speedo. Please wear Speedo's suit instead of ours."
It's a truly devilish dilemma. The final decision will affect more than the outcome of the Beijing Olympics. After all, Japan is just one of many countries where the swimming federation signed a contract, and where a lot of money changed hands. The final decisions will be a kind of reality show, revealing the character of everyone involved in the sport.
Wina Sturgeon, Editor