Revelations by Scientists on how Olympic Success can be engineered

During a public discussion on 29 April at the University of Birmingham, which was hosted by the Engineering & Technology Board (etb) in collaboration with the Royal Institution (Ri), scientists made revelations about the performances of Olympic athletes.

Speakers at the University of Birmingham included Craig Sharp (Professor of Sports Science at Brunel University), James Lamont (Innovation Team Leader, adidas), Dr Greg Whyte (Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport), and Claire Davis (School of Engineering, Birmingham University).

These public discussions were primarily aimed at offering explanations about the science at work behind the Olympics, as per Dr Greg Whyte, Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport.

From News-Medical.Net:

Dr Greg Whyte, Director of Science and Research at the English Institute of Sport, who will lead each event said: "Every four years Olympic records previously thought to be unbeatable are broken and new milestones are reached."

"These three public discussions will not only explain the science at work behind the Olympics, but also highlight the increasingly critical role science, engineering and technology plays in assisting athlete's participation, and success, in the world's greatest sports event."

Dr Whyte will open the discussion by providing an overview of human performance throughout history in our bid to become swifter, higher and stronger. He will be followed by leading industry experts, who will talk on:

i) The physiological limits of human achievement by looking at the differences between humans and animals in terms of speed and endurance;

ii) The advances in sports equipment technology and examine its impact on human performance; and finally;

iii) The effect of advancements in drug testing technology on athletes' pursuit of excellence.

Since the modern day Olympics are often conducted under the dark cloud of steroids, these discussions can prove to be of interest to those who have been advocating the elimination of steroids from sports. However, it is interesting to note here that the growing bond between steroids and sports has become almost inseparable now. In this regard, athletes need to be taught about the pros and cons of steroids to make a better and informed decision so that no awkward incident of steroid abuse occurs at any of the future Olympics.