As the Olympic Games have evolved during their long, storied history, so too has the equipment used by athletes around the world. From the practical yet basic equipment options of the early 20th century to the highly specialised gear of today seen throughout the Paris 2024 games, technological innovation has played a pivotal role in enhancing sports performance.
So, what have been some of the most notable and landmark changes and what could the future hold to help athletes perform at their best? Below, we’ll look at how these changes have helped push athletes to achieve new records that once seemed beyond human capability.
A Quick Historical Perspective
Ever since the Olympic Games were revived in Athens back in 1896, there has been a need for rudimentary sports equipment. This has driven innovation throughout the years between different types of events. For example, early athletes in track and field events competed on cinder tracks in simple leather shoes which as you can imagine were hard going for athletes.
This led to change after the Tokyo Games in 1964, the last to use cinder tracks, with these being replaced with a synthetic and more durable surface from the 1968 Games in Mexico. This along with the innovations made with highly engineered footwear has helped to drive performance and faster running times ever since.
As the 20th century progressed, so did technology and a push for standardisation emerged. This was driven by a desire to ensure fairness and to focus on athletes’ abilities rather than equipment disparities. Sports equipment has never looked back since those early days, and whilst there are still controversies, technological advancements are seen everywhere once you start to look.
The Impact of Technology on Various Sports
Track and Field
Advancements in tech have significantly reshaped track and field events and the equipment used, particularly in footwear and track materials. Synthetic tracks provide consistent performance conditions by offering better shock absorption and speed enhancement when compared to cinder tracks. pioneering companies like Feldspar are leading the way with smart, sensor-enabled running tracks, further aiding athlete training and development. Meanwhile, modern running shoes feature energy-returning materials and designs aimed at reducing muscle fatigue and enhancing sprinting efficiency.
Swimming
Swimming has seen some of the most dramatic changes due to technology. The introduction of full-body polyurethane swimsuits in the early 2000s led to numerous world records being shattered including at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, with Speedo’s LZR Racer helping to significantly reduce drag and increased buoyancy. Although these suits were later banned to preserve fair competition in 2010, they proved how attention to fabric and design can shave milliseconds off times.
Cycling
In cycling, aerodynamics and bike weight are critical. The use of carbon fibre frames has drastically reduced bike weights and improved durability and stiffness, enhancing power efficiency. Wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are now commonplace, guiding the design of bikes, clothing, and even the posture of cyclists to minimise drag, which can be the difference between silver and gold.
Archery
Archery equipment has transformed from traditional wooden bows to highly precise instruments made from advanced composites like carbon fibre, which offer greater accuracy and stability. These materials allow for finer adjustments and less variability due to weather conditions, which can significantly influence performance. The arrows used by archers, the Easton X10, are also made from lightweight carbon fibre and were first introduced at the 1996 games in Atlanta. They have been used to win every Olympic medal since those games.
Rowing
Rowing has benefited from improvements in boat materials and design. Modern rowing shells are lighter and more rigid than the wooden ones that were used until the 1970s, due to the use of carbon fibre and other composites, which improve speed and reduce drag. The design of oars has also evolved to maximise the efficiency of each stroke, allowing rowers to maintain higher speeds throughout a race.
Role of Technology in Safety and Performance
Technology has been pivotal in enhancing not only performance but also the safety of athletes across various Olympic sports. Innovations such as improved helmets in cycling and skiing, shatterproof goggles in swimming, and reinforced safety gear in fencing significantly reduce the risk of injury. Materials like carbon fibre and advanced composites are used to make equipment lighter and more impact resistant too.
These technological advancements ensure that athletes can perform at their highest level while being protected from the potential dangers associated with high-speed and high-impact Olympic events.
Future Trends and Innovations
The future of Olympic sports equipment looks set to integrate more of the latest technologies to further enhance athletic performance and safety. Innovations such as wearable technology that monitors athletes’ health and performance metrics in real-time are on the rise. Virtual and augmented reality is also poised to transform training methods, providing athletes with immersive environments that simulate real-world conditions without the physical risks.
AI is also expected to play a significant role in personalising training programs and predicting potential injuries, allowing for more precise and effective coaching decisions. In April 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched the Olympic AI Agenda, to outline how AI will be used at the Paris Games, including helping to support athletes with safeguarding, analysing performance, and preventing injury.
These technologies will not only elevate the performance of athletes but also continue to help innovate sports equipment for the Olympics in games to come. As technology continues to evolve, it will keep shaping the future of sports, just like it has done for over a hundred years. The use of AI and advanced sports equipment at the Paris games will certainly leave a lasting legacy.