They say you haven't got a dog's chance of tackling a charging All Black if he is wearing one of the tight-fitting lycra bodysuits designed to be greasy to the touch and to reduce drag. Swimmers, too, have taken the idea and swum with it.

The all-covering bodysuit with only feet, hands and head showing, made its debut at the European Swimming Championships in Budapest last week. Britain's Paul Palmer, who won the 400m freestyle, is a fan and so is world champion Michael Klim, who wore one in Australia last week.

Not to be outdone in the science department, Monmore Race Track in Wolverhampton may also have come up with a first. The dogs, taking their cue from the swimmers and rugby players, were trussed up in tight fitting lycra to reduce drag in their pursuit of the electric hare. Still, they probably looked as well as the swimmers.