Physics, technology and the Olympics

The Modern Olympic games were founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1896, with the intention of improving health and education, promoting world peace, and encouraging fair and equal competition. However, the motto of the modern Olympic games – citius, altius, fortius (swifter, higher, stronger) – shows that it is not only the taking part that counts. Winning is just as important now as it was 2500 years ago at the original games in ancient Greece. Then, as now winning athletes were treated like heroes, given seats for life at theatres and public gatherings, and awarded cash bonuses, gifts and prizes. It is no wonder, then, that athletes – both ancient and modern – have used any means at their disposal to improve the speeds at which they can run, the distances they can throw and the heights they can jump.