SWIM SUIT GETS TICK OF APPROVAL

BEIJING, CHINA, August 7: Australia's new Olympic swimsuits have been unveiled at training at Beijing's Water Cube today.

The swimmers only received them last Sunday after swimwear company Speedo completed the difficult process of having the national colours put into the controversial LZR Racer suits.  

Only the Australian and US teams have the super-suits in their national colours at the Beijing Games.

One of the more notable features of the Australian version worn by freestylers Kirk Palmer and Patrick Murphy during a time trial today was the big yellow stars down the side.Tom Wald & Todd Baylm AAP


Australian head coach Alan Thompson said the new suits had received the tick of approval from the swimmers.
 
"I was a bit concerned, it is a bit funny when things get described to you, but I think they look sharp," he said.
  
"I think they like the big yellow stars."
  
A light haze of pollution had again settled within the Olympic swimming venue.
  
Thompson made inquiries about the air quality at the Water Cube earlier this week but failed to receive any answers.
  
He said the swim team had been closely monitoring the health of team members with respiratory problems.
  
Meanwhile the Dolphins continued their relatively trouble-free build-up before the start of the swimming program on Saturday.
  
Thompson said Australia's most successful Olympian Ian Thorpe was due to have lunch with the national swim team tomorrow to pass on his best wishes before the start of competition.