100 Years Ago

[Jolly]

https://time.com/6993195/paris-olympics-1924-photos/

[taiwan_girl]

Great pictures.

There was an interesting article in the Washington Post a day or two ago about what are the limits in sports - focusing on track and swimming. One of the points, which I agree with, is that the decrease in records over the past (for example) 50 years is pretty much due to technology (equipment, training, nutrition, etc.) rather than any increases in human ability.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/interactive/2024/olympics-records-athletes-unbreakable-human-limit/?itid=hp_only-from-the-post_p003_f001

The answer depends not only on physiology but also sociology and technology. Compared with decades ago, more potentially elite athletes from more corners of the globe are receiving the opportunities and resources to compete at an elite level. Experience and the connective power of the internet have created massive leaps in coaching and the selection of athletes to sports that best suit their skills and body types. Specialization and optimization reign.

Setting aside the specter of performance-enhancing drugs, athletes have pushed limits through advances in equipment and training science. Jesse Owens ran on a cinder track and used a garden tool to dig holes to place his feet at the start of a race. Mark Spitz swam without goggles. Athletes have evolved alongside innovation.

[Axtremus]

Poll vaulting picture … no mattress to cushion the athlete’s fall!