• USA Today, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:45 AM

Swimming superstar Michael Phelps has spent the last two years helping develop the new Speedo Lzr Racer suit--which was unveiled yesterday at a press conference in New York City--with his coach Bob Bowman. The ultra-lightweight fabric is water repellent, and welding allows a seamless fit. It was also developed with NASA.

The suit is expected to be worn by most U.S. swimmers and swimmers from more than 50 countries at the Beijing Olympics in August. Phelps will get a $1 million bonus from Speedo if he wins seven golds, a record held by American Mark Spitz. Phelps left Athens in 2004 with six golds and eight medals overall wearing a Speedo.

Phelps won seven golds en route to setting five world records while wearing yet a different Speedo at the world championships last April. Bowman said this suit's difference is "substantial" in terms of the surface and fitting. Speedo claims the Lzr Racer has 10% "less passive drag" than the Fastskin launched before the 2004 Olympics.

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