An Olympic Question

Here's a question for the Internets. The Olympics showcase not only the most amazing physical specimens from around the world, but typically also demonstrate the innovation, science and technical expertise that goes into training, scoring and timing these athletes.

Michel Phelps' 1/100th of a second win in the 100 butterfly is a testament to the microscopic differences in first and second place at the highest levels of competition. In track and field the fastest humans on land wear hi-tech, skin-tight suits and single-use shoes designed to ride the fine line between weight and performance.

Which brings me to my question: Why do they still safety-pin numbers to these athletes? Are you telling me the handful of top-line equipment makers can't get together and figure out a standard way to embed their numbers into their suits? Short of that, are safety-pinned pieces of whatever the best technology on offer to determine who's who in a given event?

Maybe it makes no difference. Heck Usain Bolt didn't seem too bothered, his showboating at the end of the 100m slowed his time much more than any little piece of material would and he still coasted to a world record. To me, it just seems like buying an expensive Italian sports car, and then putting one of those window-mounted flags on it.