One thing people are not realizing about the Olympics and world records is that “gravity” is not the same everywhere on our planet. When the Olympics are played in regions of our planet with the lowest component of gravity, you can expect world record times in certain events where gravity is a factor, for example athletics, high jump, long jump , triple jump, shot put, javelin and distance running. Can you see that even a small advantage will result in tenths of a second taken away or inches added to an athlete’s performance?
Imagine if the Olympics were held on the Lunar Colony, and someday they probably will be, but at 1/5 gravity, it will take a supercomputer to adjust the difference for the world record columns, and what about Mars, 1 /3? gravity dwells there.
Now, let’s also not forget that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is basically + or – at or very close to sea level for most events. The air is denser at sea level, more oxygen, and that means a better VO2 max. for human athletes, more oxygen to the blood and thus to the body also makes a big difference. So when it comes to the Olympic Games in Rio, the athletes should be able to make a good run. Of course, as nice as the perks are, these athletes need to perform at their best, as there are no free rides; after all, this is the Olympics.
Every athlete tries to play to their strengths and minimize their weaknesses, some to the point of crossing ethical lines, but more often through better training, tactics, coaches, and sports equipment. At this level of completion, EVERYTHING, no matter how small, matters, and much of the difference between winning and losing is in tenths or even hundredths of a second. The adrenaline and the competition are there, the athletes have prepared and trained for their events, and a little help from Gravity can make all the difference. I ask you to consider the physics involved here and what it means for the Olympics.
Citations and references:
1.) “Gravity Map Shows Earth Lumpy,” by Larry O’Hanlon of Discovery News, published July 29, 2003.
2.) “A theoretical analysis of the factors that determine VO2 MAX at sea level and altitude”, by Wagner PD, PubMed.com, 1996 Dec;106(3):329-43.
3.) “Sports in Space” (Future Concepts), eBook, September 2011, ASIN: B005LI35RG