21st Century Sports

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Swimmers usually break world records by fractions of seconds-wearing practically nothing. But now a new-full-body swim-suit reportedly takes entire seconds off the performances of world-class athletes. One potential Olympic swimmer says, "I think it's cheating," but now that the suit's been approved for competition, she's resigned to wearing one. Twenty-four years ago, a body-suit controversy hit speed skating, where the most recent flap was over so-called "clap skates" with hinged blades. With more long-time records likely to fall in September at Sydney's Olympic Games, how much of enhanced performance is due to modern technology, rather than basic skill? What about drugs? Will sports medicine evolve into genetic engineering?
Reporter's Notebook: John Sellers, Director of the Ruckus Society, responds to warnings of violence and property damage while Democrats are nominating their presidential candidate.

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton