Looking cool for the heat

British athletics chiefs today unveiled their revolutionary new sports kit which they hope will spur Team GB on to success at the Athens Olympics in 38 days time.

Long jumper Jade Johnson, 24, was unveiling one of the outfits today which are specially designed to help athletes deal with the sweltering heat expected in Greece next month.

Johnson, along with Paula Radcliffe, who holds the world's best time for the women's marathon, and Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis, will be among the stars wearing the new kit.

The adidas ClimaCool range was developed after top-secret tests. The company said the "dynamic ventilation technology" had evolved in the past two years from the firm's bestselling trainers.

The design team are said to have been inspired by the technology behind Porsche cars. Just as air vents in the sportscar open when it hits high speeds, tiny vents in the trainers open, regulating the athlete's body temperature.

In the same way, increased ventilation in the clothing causes moisture to evaporate faster by moving air across the body. The kit aims to boost the performance of Britain's medal hopes - including rowers Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell, 1500m hope Kelly Holmes and javelin thrower Steve Backley by ensuring they waste less energy trying to stay cool.