Several factors cited for US speed skating team’s poor Olympic showing
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027903
Ars Technica : The late introduction of a new suit design, the Mach 39 by Under Armour, was one reason the US speed skating team did so poorly at the 2014 Winter Olympics, according to a new internal assessment. For the first time in 30 years, the US failed to win a medal in long track. But it was not the suit itself that was to blame, said US Speedskating executive director Ted Morris. Rather, the suit, as well as a new skate polishing system, was kept secret to give the team an advantage. However, because the athletes didn’t have proper time to train with the new equipment, they may not have been completely comfortable using it. The high-altitude outdoor training sessions that were held in Italy may also have been a factor because the games themselves were held indoors and at sea level.
