Category Archive: Olympics

Gold fever: predicting the number of medals for Team GB at London 2012

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The great physicist Niels Bohr was responsible for the famous quote “prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future”.  Of course that doesn’t stop us trying – especially when it comes… Read More

Diving into basic mechanics

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I taught the mechanics of solids to mechanical engineering students for around 15 years.  When it came to exams, I always tried to include examples from the real world that would stretch the… Read More

It’s 2012 and it’s Olympic year. What do the public think of science and sport?

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Well, 2012 is here.  At last.  It’s been a long wait and it seems like we’ve been talking about 2012 forever.  For anyone involved in elite sport it is like a switch has… Read More

The Trouble with Oscar

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Over the past couple of years I have been quite busy speaking about the role of technology in disability sport at numerous science festivals and conferences. South Africa’s ground breaking decision to select… Read More

Sprinting in the wind

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The effects of wind on long distance running have been discussed on this blog previously, particularly on marathons. Now with the approach of the World Athletics Championships, I thought I would look at the effects… Read More

A year to go: engineering sport for London 2012

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The common perception of engineering and sport is that of shiny new bikes, aerodynamic helmets and sleek bobsleds.  I often get asked, “isn’t it just the best equipment that wins now, rather than… Read More

Using sport to teach science: interactive exhibits, Teachers TV and maths in sport

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We have known for quite some time here at Sheffield Hallam University the value of using sport to teach science.  Sport is ideal for grabbing people’s attention and getting them interested in science, engineering and technology.… Read More

The heat is on for cyclists in the London velodrome

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The velodrome which will host the track cycling events at the 2012 Olympics in London is now open. The facility is the first to open in the Olympic village and has been given the… Read More

Is it possible for Haile Gebrselassie to break the 2 hour barrier?

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Introduction Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia is one of the greatest marathon runners of all time. He set the current world record of 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 seconds at the 2008 Berlin Marathon. Recently he announced… Read More

Predicting human performance – the Usain Bolt effect, electronics and war

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A lot has been said about Usain Bolt – his brilliance, his stature and his music tastes.  But the suggestion that he is the limit of human performance has been soundly rebuffed by… Read More

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