How Science Changed the Olympics How force and motion shape the Olympics. email to friend
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The Discus Secret - Did you know that greater distances can be achieved by throwing the discus into a moderate headwind? This is due to the importance of the aerodynamic lift produced by the discus in flight. Learn more

Freestyle Swimming - What's the best position for my hands when I swim freestyle? If you learned to swim before the mid-1970s (and maybe later, depending on the coach), you were probably taught to pull your hand straight backward through the water like a canoe paddle. With this stroke, you move forward by pushing against the water. It turns out that's not the best way to propel yourself through the water. Learn more

Javelin Aerodynamics - Along with the discus, the javelin first appeared in competition in the ancient games in 708 B.C. The redesign of the javelin in 1953 changed the aerodynamics so much that the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) had to adopt new rules to keep athletes from throwing the javelin too far. Learn more

The False Force – Swing a bucket full of water over your head and (if you're lucky) you stay dry. Why? Many of us were lead to believe that the answer had something to do with centrifugal force. Believe it or not, centrifugal force doesn't exist! It's a false force.

Additional Info

You’ll find more interesting facts and hands-on science activities used on today’s segment in the book The Big Book of Air and Space Flight Activities by Jani Macari Pallis