US Speed Skaters' Dismal Performance Blamed On Suit Flaws

"In the hours after gold-medal favorite Shani Davis finished nowhere near the podium, the U.S. speedskating team pored over data through the early morning Thursday, questioning everything from race strategy to skate blades.

After an equally disastrous outcome in the women's 1,000-meter race later on Thursday, a suspect emerged: the high-tech racing suits the team adopted for the Winter Olympics.

After a disastrous outcome for heavily favored U.S. men and women speedskaters, a suspect has emerged: the high-tech Under Armour racing suits the team adopted for the Winter Olympics. Joshua Robinson reports from Sochi on Lunch Break. Photo: AP.

These suits—designed by apparel sponsor Under Armour UA -2.38% and billed before the Games as a competitive advantage—have a design flaw that may be slowing down skaters, according to three people familiar with the U.S. team."* John Iadarola, Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz (What The Flick?!, and TYT Sports) and Cara Santa Maria (co-host and producer, TakePart Live) break it down on The Young Turks.

*Read more here from Joshua Robinson & Sara Germano / Wall Street Journal: