There's muscle, and there's “technology” behind Sochi skaters

By Ko Dong-hwan

Medal-winning skaters at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics certainly deserve recognition for their hard-training and practices.

But what also counts toward their glory is their attire, specially designed with not-so-ordinary technological features.

For speed skaters like Lee Sang-hwa, who boasts her 23-inch thigh, fabrics covering leg muscles exploding with extensive movements during performance must be extra durable and flexible. For that purpose, makers use special materials like urethane and laminate.

The uniforms are also mixed with Kevlar, synthetic fiber known for its bullet-proof strength, as a precautionary measure against getting sliced by sharp skate blades.

The uniforms’ exterior is covered with tiny dimples. Same kinetic theory applied to golf balls to make them fly further in midair allows for reduction in air friction as athletes sprint on ice.

Another notable example of tech-ridden attires was introduced by American skaters, which were co-manufactured by sportswear company Under Armour and fighter jet producer Lockheed Martin.

Not only did they design them to feel the athletes’ own skin, they placed arrays of 4-millimeter-high bumps on areas covering the forehead, top head, arms and legs, allowing athletes to effectively fend off flooding air resistance.

The outer wears also have ventilating holes on the back so athletes can stream out heat during their muscle-jerk.

Short-track Bronze medalist Park Seung-hi wore another special attire that’s bent 90 degrees rather than straight up. The design considered short trackers’ particular posture that mostly stays bent deep during races.