Some U.S. swimmers switch to high-tech Speedo suit

CHICAGO – To Speedo or not Speedo?

With world record after world record being shattered by swimmers wearing Speedo’s high-tech LZR Racer, that is the question – especially with the U.S. swim trials in Omaha set to begin June 29.

For some, the question has been answered.

Distance star and two-time Olympian Erik Vendt, a longtime representative of swimwear company TYR, is wearing Speedo this year.

So is his 2004 Olympic teammate, Larsen Jensen, although they made the switch independently.

In a phone interview from Ann Arbor, Mich., Vendt said that nothing was official in terms of a contract but that, yes, he has switched to Speedo. But he declined to elaborate.

Those familiar with Vendt’s thinking said he wanted to leave no “stone unturned” in his quest to make a third consecutive Olympic team in his pursuit of a gold medal after winning two silvers.

“He’s wearing the suit he feels is the fastest in the world, not because there is any deal pending,” said Evan Morgenstein, Vendt’s agent. “I’m hoping to have something for him but there’s no guarantee.”

Stu Isaac of Speedo, however, said talks are ongoing with Vendt and Jensen. TYR Sport Inc. of Huntington Beach, which is out with its own high-tech suit, the Tracer Light, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The names of Vendt and Jensen have not appeared in recent promotional material from TYR.

“We would love to have them as part of our Speedo family,” Isaac said in a telephone interview. “… Erik didn’t come out of retirement to win a third silver medal.”

For some, there will be no switching.

Sprint star Cullen Jones, who has continued to wear a Nike suit, appeared at the U.S. Olympic media summit here Tuesday and was asked how he could stay with his sponsor despite the recent world record in the 50-meter freestyle set by Eamon Sullivan of Australia, who was wearing Speedo.

“I would never burn bridges with Nike,” Jones said. “I’m very happy with my company. I made that decision and I’m sticking with it.

” … Without a doubt, you can’t sit back and not look at … Eamon Sullivan’s a perfect example. A suit is something that’s been tested left and right. People are talking about it. But it doesn’t make the swimmer. On the awards stand, you don’t sit back and thank the suit makers. You thank yourself for putting in the work. I don’t think Nike would put me in something that’s inferior.”

A Nike spokesperson last month, in response to questions about the Speedo suit, said that the company preferred not to discuss the competition.

Yet the issue won’t die, not with more records falling at the recent world short-course championships in Manchester, England. Versatile American Ryan Lochte, who set four world records in Manchester, said Tuesday that he felt like an “action hero” in the suit.

But 2004 Olympian and breaststroker Brendan Hansen, another Nike swimmer, said it’s not about what he’s wearing in the water.

“The last thing I worry about going into a race is the suit. I’m not going to use it as a crutch. I don’t want somebody to ever say, ‘He won the gold medal at the Olympics because he was wearing a certain suit.’ I’d rather they talk about my work ethic… . ”

Times staff writer Helene Elliott contributed to this report.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com