Body suit battle is real Olympic fight

They can shave hundredths of a second off an athlete's time - and, in the world of speed skating, that can mean the difference between gold and nowhere.

As the Winter Olympians in Salt Lake City prepare to put their bodies through the ultimate test of strength and endurance this month, sportswear manufacturers are awaiting the outcome of another fiercely competitive battle - the battle to create the fastest, sleekest body suit.

The twin evils of drag and friction have long been the targets of designers, and new heights in aerodynamic clothing are being reached ahead of the event.

The biggest tussle looks likely to be between Nike's Swift Skin and Descente's Vortex. Both companies have put hundreds of thousands of pounds into producing suits that they claim cut resistance to a minimum.

Great Britain's speed skating team coach, Stuart Horsepool, said: "This kind of technology can make a big difference. You are talking about fractions of a second but, in tight situations, that can be crucial.

"Our skaters wear the same Adidas suits worn by the British cyclist Jason Queally, who won a gold medal in Sydney. It is a polyester-Lycra with no seams on the shoulders or legs, and we think they're excellent."