We are nearly half way through the most intriguing event in
sport. Since the Greeks, the Olympics have embodied sportsmanship, camaraderie
and athleticism. And there is no doubt that science
has always been entangled in the games. One cannot exist without the other. However,
it seems that in my life time, science
is claiming more grandiose credit for accomplishments and Olympic medal
successes.
I am a scientist. I am an athlete. I find it easy to recognize
the interwoven nature between science and sport. Yes, science can build a sleeker
sled, slimmer suits, or faster skates. Yet, on the darker side, science brought
PEDs to sport, and when they came to light, science brought “better”
(undetectable) chemicals to the underbelly.
Yes, sport is an aspect of life and life is in every way
science. BUT…
I’m sorry Scientific World, the Olympics, and athletics in
general, is not your world. You don’t make or break winners. You enhance the
field, sure, but it is the individual (or team) that dictate their own
performance. Every second, every fleeting moment is a win or lose decision. The
best athletes in the world can win with “antiquated” equipment.
All the money in the world, all the best technology and
scientific breakthrough will never make me faster than Usain Bolt, nor a better skater than
Russia’s Evgeni Plushenko, or
as talented as Switzerland’s Snowboard
Gold Medalist IPod (Iouri Podladtchikov).
P.S. GO TEAM U.S.A.
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| Katie Uhlaender of the United States makes a run during the Women's Skeleton heats on Day 7 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Sanki Sliding Center (www.sochi2014.com) |
