U.S. Speedskating looks for uniform switch

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. speedskating team is looking to change its uniforms in the wake of an unexpectedly poor showing at the Winter Olympics, it was reported Friday.

The Wall Street Journal and Baltimore Sun both reported U.S. Speedskating Executive Director Ted Morris was in talks with international skating and Olympics officials about switching the Olympics uniforms to those the team wore at the World Championships.

Both sets of uniforms were made by Under Armour, a Maryland company.

Morris told the Journal his team was split "pretty darn close to 50-50" on changing the suits. The Americans had performed extremely well over the fall speedskating season in the former uniforms but after six long-track events in Sochi, no U.S. speedskater finished better than seventh in the new versions.

Speedskating events resume Saturday at the Olympics, with the men's 1,500 meters with a field that includes Americans Shani Davis and Brian Hansen.

The Sun said the Under Armour Mach 39 suit, developed with defense contractor Lockheed Martin, was said by the manufacturers to be the fastest suit in production.

"We are committed to providing Team USA with the best possible gear, and Mach 39 is the most scientifically advanced and rigorously tested suit ever featured in Olympic competition," Under Armour Senior Vice President Kevin Haley said in a statement.

"While a multitude of factors ultimately determine on-ice success, many skaters have posted personal-best sea-level heat times, split times or race times this week, and we're rooting for that to translate into medals over these next couple of days."