Listened to a really interesting TED Talks a few days ago about the misconception that we as a species are getting so much faster.
They did this thing with the ding of a bell to show the difference in time between Jesse Owens' 100-meter dash and Usain Bolt's 100-meter dash, and the two dings are so close they barely sound like different dings. Then you throw in technology - lighter shoes, more specialized training, the most technologically advanced surface and the fact that sprinters now come out of starting blocks and sprinters back then dug their feet in, ran on a cinder track with leather soles on their shoes.
What we are getting better at is understanding how to train and who to train and when to start. The idea used to be that the best athlete for any sport was someone of medium build and medium weight - whether it's a shot-putter or a high jumper. People also now specialize in one sport much more now and begin so much earlier.
Regardless of all this. They analyzed Owens' joint movement and projected him with today's technology and it's absurd how close he would have been to Bolt, like a step away. So the difference between Owens and Bolt, the ding between their finishes is almost indistinguishable given that. Then you have the thousands of sprinters in between those guys who most have never heard of. Thought it was really interesting.
They did this thing with the ding of a bell to show the difference in time between Jesse Owens' 100-meter dash and Usain Bolt's 100-meter dash, and the two dings are so close they barely sound like different dings. Then you throw in technology - lighter shoes, more specialized training, the most technologically advanced surface and the fact that sprinters now come out of starting blocks and sprinters back then dug their feet in, ran on a cinder track with leather soles on their shoes.
What we are getting better at is understanding how to train and who to train and when to start. The idea used to be that the best athlete for any sport was someone of medium build and medium weight - whether it's a shot-putter or a high jumper. People also now specialize in one sport much more now and begin so much earlier.
Regardless of all this. They analyzed Owens' joint movement and projected him with today's technology and it's absurd how close he would have been to Bolt, like a step away. So the difference between Owens and Bolt, the ding between their finishes is almost indistinguishable given that. Then you have the thousands of sprinters in between those guys who most have never heard of. Thought it was really interesting.
