Avsnitt

  • One last time, we get the band together to bring you our bumper Olympic recap show. Sports editor Mike Finch joins daily hosts Prof. Ross Tucker and Discourse moderator Gareth Davies to look back on the Paris Games. We discuss and debate our highlights, lowlights, winners, losers, surprises and disappointments and offer perspectives on the medal tables and individual performances: Which countries outperform their resources, the great athletes and performances and the big stories. Finally we rate the Games, and take a moment to thank all of you for the fantastic interactions on Discourse, and for listening and enjoying these Olympics with us.


    Join Discourse


    If you've enjoyed our Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The "Zatopek" is complete, and while Sifan Hassan did not perfectly replicate the Czech legend's achievements, she did help close off the Athletics programme of the Paris Olympics in spectacular fashion, winning the women's Marathon gold. We review the race, and explain how once again, the course added great intrigue to create a great race and spectacle. We also look back on the final night of track and field from the stadium, where an historically fast men's 800m produced four of the top 8 times ever, and France got its first athletics medal. Kipyegon did the expected in a fast women's 1500m, and Ingebrigtsen did the obvious in winning a slow men's 5000m. The relays, as always, capped off a great night with a near world record for the USA women, and an epic race between USA and Botswana in the men's race.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Saknas det avsnitt?

    Klicka här för att uppdatera flödet manuellt.

  • Tamirat Tola won the men's Olympic Marathon gold today, but it was the marathon course that we thought was the star of the show, as it threw two severe hills at the athletes, creating a dynamic, unpredictable race full of excitement. We explain how Tola conquered that course in remarkable fashion to break the Olympic Record with aggressive hill running. We also look back on the track action, which included relay medals for some athletes who came so close to individual podiums, as well as a double gold and bronze in the women's 10000m, and an impressively fast women's 400m. Finally, we talk breaking, boxing and the IOC's disgrace, and look ahead to the final night of track action from Paris.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The Paris 2024 Olympics were hyped as the Noah Lyles games, with the American's campaign to win four gold medals the anticipated storyline. That storyline was terminated by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo in the men's 200m final last night, and it was subsequently revealed that Lyles had tested positive for Covid on Tuesday. We discuss Tebogo's 19.46s victory, and contrast his approach to the brash approach of Lyles in a rivalry that may continue to produce fast times and good quotes. Another rivalry produced a mismatch, where Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone destroyed both the world record, and a field including Femke Bol, in another remarkable 400m hurdles race. We talk about Bol's all-or-nothing race that ultimately cost her silver. We also discuss the latest salvo in the WADA-USADA dispute, which threatens to undermine the credibility of anti-doping, as the power struggle and allegation game continue. Finally, we look ahead to the second-last night of track finals, and even remember that there's a marathon happening in Paris tomorrow!


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.


    Here's that WADA statement that we discuss on the show

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The men's 400m Olympic Champion is Quincy Hall, who produced a remarkable final 100m to reel in Matthew Hudson Smith. We discuss the historically fast race, with a focus on Hall's last 100m were a triumph due to survival, rather than a blistering kick. We also analyze the men's 3000m steeplechase, where el-Bakkali defended his gold and Girma's hopes crashed, literally, into the Paris track. A brief look at the team pursuit golds in cycling is followed by a news round-up including a fascinating wrestling weight loss controversy, and some drama around lane draws for Olympic finals, with some implications for tonight's action. Finally, we preview the big track finals tonight, and Ross the Octopus makes his gold medal picks.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.


    Here is the story of the Indian weightlifter, Vinesh Phogat, discussed on the show


    A graphic showing the change in lane draw allocations for the track finals - better than listening to Ross try to explain them


    Kenny Bednarek's tweet and the resultant discussion that he protested


    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sport Climbing is one of the newest additions to the Olympic sporting menu. In Paris, climbers tackle two distinct disciplines - boulder/lead, and speed climbing. In this special episode, we are joined by Tim Cross, a science writer with The Economist, to reveal the hidden side of sport climbing. We talk about the differences between these disciplines, and how the competitions are scored and won. We also about the physiological demands of the sport, the ideal body types for climbing, and how route design presents new challenges for climbers that means that climbing excellence is both art and science, mental and physical.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.


    The IFSC Policy for RED-S, as discussed on the podcast


    For Discourse members only, Discourse Member Julia Littlefair shared some really interesting thoughts on the RED-S issue. This thread also includes links to other interesting material on this issue.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In one of the most hyped, anticipated track races in recent memory, it was Cole Hocker, and not the big favourites Jakob Ingebrigtsen or Josh Kerr, who emerged as the Olympic 1500m champion. The race lived up to its billing - Ingebrigtsen's aggressive pace-setting, Kerr hunting from behind, and Hocker, patient and poised, waiting to unleash what turned out to be the deadliest kick of all. We review the race, offering insights on Ingebrigtsen's pace selection, which truly was all or nothing as he faded to finish fourth. We also discuss the other track finals (women's 200m and 3000m Steeplechase), and explore a track cycling world record deluge in Paris' velodrome.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.


    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Keely Hodgkinson has her Olympic Gold. The pre-race favourite delivered under pressure with a commanding front-running performance to secure an elusive global title. We discuss the race pattern that delivered the gold with big margins behind, and explain why it suggests a lot more to come from Hodgkinson. Beatrice Chebet outclassed Faith Kipyegon in the women's 5000m, in a race marred by a clash between Kipyegon and another pre-race favourites, Gudaf Tsegay. Mondo DuPlantis did Mondo things, winning relatively comfortably and then ticking off an Olympic record followed by another World Record in the Pole Vault. We dissect those performances, and wrap up the Artistic Gymnastics where falls and drama were the order of the day, as well as Gareth's new found Olympic love, Canoe Slalom Cross.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In a recent press conference, the IOC were asked why they believed sex eligibility tests done on the now controversial boxers were arbitrary? In response, they said "There's no reason for the test", and appeared to equivocate on what the purpose of testing might be. This is the latest in a series of side-steps in which the IOC are downplaying what those tests actually show - males in women's combat sport - and instead undermining why they were done. But for sport, the ability to assess who is eligible for a category is not arbitrary, it is fundamental to making the category work. Weight classes only work because of weigh-ins, for instance. In this Bonus episode, Ross addresses this, directly addressing the IOC to explain why the category boundary can only be defended if some form of testing is welcomed. He explains how every IOC statement on this issue should be understood as the necessary defence of their choice of inclusion ahead of fairness and safety for females, and offers the solution that would be welcomed if the choice had been made to defend fairness and safety, instead.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • It's Noah Lyles. The big 100m showdown in Paris saw the top four separated by 0.03s, wity 5/1000th between gold and silver. Noah Lyles came out on the winning side of that margin, defeating Kishane Thompson, with Fred Kerley taking bronze ahead of SA's Akani Simbine. The winning time, 9.784s may not have been super fast, but the race was historically deep with positions 4 to 8 all running the fastest times ever recorded for those finishing places. We discuss the tension of the 100m, and look at 10m splits and speeds to discover how the race was won by Lyles despite his slow start. We also look back at the women's cycling road race, where Kristen Faulkner delivered a perfectly timed attack to take gold from more fancied rivals. Finally, we wrap up the Olympic swimming action, where the USA delivered two world records to move to the top of the medal table, with a look back on the winners and losers from the pool.


    Join Discourse


    If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • A new 100m Olympic Champion was crowned in Paris as Julien Alfred pulled of an upset of sorts (but not entirely!) to win gold in 10.72s, ahead of Sha'Carri Richardson. We assess the race, explaining how Alfred's 2024 season had hinted at this performance, and how Sha'Carri Richardson didn't manage overcome a series of poor starts to add Olympic gold to her World title. We also discuss a majestic 'hunt' relay leg from Femke Bol, to shock the USA in the mixed 4 x 400m relay final. Men's cycling saw another first, with Remco Evenepoel winning the road race, and becoming the first man to win both TT and Road golds in the same Games. We also wrap up a medal rich evening in the pool, and update you on the latest news in the IOC's tragi-comedy handling of the 'Humans whose passports say women and so they're ok for women's boxing' controversy.


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Joshua Cheptegei is the Olympic 10,000m champion, after he beat a stellar field in a fast race to open the Track programme in Paris. We discuss that race, and the Ethiopian tactics that set it up perfectly for Cheptegei. We also discuss the BMX racing, where France reach new levels of euphoria with a clean sweep of the men's podium, while Australia dominated the women's race to win gold. BMX racers produce the highest power output recorded in the sport - over 2000W to get the first bend advantage that often decides the race. We explore that and explain the metabolic demands of the race. We then preview the day ahead, where Katie Ledecky aims to cement her legacy, and the women's 100m title will be decided on the track. Will Sha'Carri Richardson do what she did in Budapest, or might the occasion, and some rivals, upset the race favourite?


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues


    Sean Ingle's article on the technology boost for track athletes in Paris


    Another piece by Sean, this one on the World Record in the 4 x 400 mixed relay


    Piece on Cameron McEvoys shift in training


    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Simone Biles established herself as the world's best gymnast in Paris, but it wasn't without a challenge from Brazil's Rebeca Andrade. The first golds were handed out in the track and field programme, won by Ecuador and China in the 20km race-walking events. We talk about how race walking is judged, and whether high tech shoes make a difference to walkers as they do to runners? In the news, athletes aren't happy with the food in the village, tennis legends are out and retiring, and the IOC flexes its plastic muscles in realms of doping control and fair and safe women's sport. Plus, we look ahead to the opening night in the Track programme, where the 10000m gold should be fought out between east African giants from Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya.


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues


    The Lanterne Rouge preview of the road cycling

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Simone Biles became the Olympic All Around champion for a second time in Paris yesterday. In doing so, she defeated her rivals, seemingly conquered gravity on some elements, and put to rest certain 'demons' from Tokyo 2021. Back then, she withdrew from competition citing a case of "the twisties". But what are the twisties? Often described as equivalent to the "yips" that affect golfers, the twisties can affect athletes in skill movement sports, effectively costing them the ability to know where their bodies are in space. To explore this phenomenon, and understand how athletes overcome it, we are joined by Prof Dave Collins, a performance psychologist with 40 years' experience in elite sport. Prof Collins has worked with 90 elite athletes, many in sports where the dreaded twisties can strike, such as freestyle skiing, BMX, snowboarding and gymnastics. He explains the differences between the yips and the twisties, and offers insights into they are conquered.


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues


    Guest Prof Dave Collins' website

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The controversial issue of males in women's sport has reared its head at the Paris Olympics. In this episode, the team discuss the case of two boxers who were disqualified after failing 'gender eligibility tests' by their international federation at last year's World Championships but, despite being biologically male, are competing in Paris. We discuss how this situation has arisen, including an explanation of the governance issues that led to their inclusion, and the biological factors that give rise to the Differences of Sex Development (DSDs) that are thought to be responsible for these two cases. We explain how significant male advantage is in sport, and why boxing, of all the sports, is one that should recognise male biology and its implications. Finally, we offer insight into the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Principles of Fairness and Inclusion, contrasting this with other sports that regulate women's sport and exclude male advantage.


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

    The IOC's Framework on Inclusion with the ten principles discussed in the show, including "Number 1: Inclusion", and "No Presumption of Advantage"The Scientific Paper that accompanied the IOC Framework aboveWe (Ross) co-authored a scientific rebuttal to that paper, addressing some of the issues with the science and human rightsHere is the IOC Guidance on language use in Paris, as raised by Gareth on the showThe International Boxing Association Technical and Competition Rules, which include, at 4.2. Eligibility Guidelines for Gender. Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Leon Marchand gave France even more to celebrate as completed a unique double, winning both butterfly and breaststroke golds in the pool last night. Ross and Gareth discuss those performances, along with a World Record in the pool, and add some insights on how swimmers manage their races.


    Other highlights in this episode include analysis of the Men's and Women's Triathlon races, discussion about the wildly successful Sevens tournament in Paris, and a men's all round gymnastics competition that went to the very last performance. We also learn about the psychology of the Twisties, and how gymnasts manage their emotions under pressure to deliver technical athletic excellence


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show


    Jump to 1:08:14 for the Twisties psychology conversation with Prof Dave Collins

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Get an insiders views on the sprint events at the Paris Olympics with Stu McMillan, one of the world's top sprint coaches. Currently in his 25th year of professional coaching, he has worked with professional and amateur athletes in a variety of sports - with the focus being on power and speed development. He has personally coached over 70 Olympians at 7 Olympic Games; over 30 of whom have won Olympic medals. Since 2013, McMillan has been based in Phoenix, Arizona, at sprint academy ALTIS, where I he is co-owner and CEO.

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Day 4 in Paris was meant to bring us a Triathlon conversation, but that was pushed back, maybe to today, by E.Coli levels in the Seine. We discuss the implications of the delay, and learn about some extreme training approaches (that we don't recommend). The swimming action is building, including a rare double attempt by Leon Marchand in the butterfly and breaststroke, and a stuttering gold medal campaign from the USA. News from Paris includes more dubious doping denials, less than elite accommodation in the Olympic Village, and a fascinating insight into the precision of timing in swimming.


    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show


    Article on Simone Biles, in which she talks about the struggle to continue after Tokyo, and feeling terrified of the risks


    The injury and illness surveillance study mentioned in the podcast, this time back to Rio 2016

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Ross and Gareth look back on Day 3 action, which featured one of the great races of the Games - an all-time epic mountain bike duel. We also review the swimming golds, and round up the Paris news, from skateboarding the streets of Paris to surfing the corals of Tahiti.


    On the decks in this episode:

    Tom Pidcock duels Victor Koretzky in a race for the ages. Overcoming a puncture, the defending champion was initially patient, then powerful, and ultimately punchy as he denied France a men-women MTB double. We break down an incredible race, and discuss how Pidcock managed his efforts to return to the front after his punctureAnother finger tip finish in the pool saw David Popovici win 200m freestyle gold by 0.02sAnother teenager, Summer Mcintosh, added 400m Medley gold to her silver in the 400m freestyle, with a dominant winWe talk pacing strategy, tactics and playing to your strengths in the pool, bringing up the swimming pacing paradoxA news roundup that includes skateboarding musings and a dramatic end to the men's team gymnastics competitionThe Men's Triathlon is tomorrow. We hope. The swimming remains in jeopardy. We talk about how that plays out in the athlete's minds and preparation

    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Ross and Gareth look back on Day 2 in Paris, which was characterized by dominance for some, despair for others, and defeats by the tiniest of margins - milliseconds and magnifying glasses. We also tackle cupping, tell the truth about lactate and fatigue, and discuss a looming controversy about males in women's sport, thanks to the IOC's leadership. On the deck:

    Swimming on night 2 produced a French gold and dominant win for Leon Marchand, and gold by the smallest of margins by Nicolo MartinenghiWe correct some errors in understanding of lactate's role in fatigue, as explained by the BBC in Paris two nights agoThe Mountain Biking produced an even more dominant win for France, with Pauline Ferrand Prevot destroying the competition. Crashes and bad luck punctuated the hunt for the medals she left behindA DSD controversy is growing, where both boxing and football have cases in women's events. The IOC have already acted to create this situation, and won't intervene, leaving the issue to build, to the detriment of women's fairness and safetyWe look ahead to Day 3, where the men's MTB should produce a closer battle for gold, and where five golds are on offer in the pool.

    Show notes


    Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

    Get bonus content on Patreon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.