By John
Parker
Why do track events run counter-clockwise? Why do divers shower? Why do athletes bite their medals? We
look at (and attempt to answer) the top questions of the Games.
Kinesio tape, developed by a Japanese doctor over 30 years ago is much more
than just a fashion statement - though athletes like German beach volleyball
player Katrin Holtwick use it for both. It takes a special certification just
to be licensed to apply it and once on, it separates the upper layer of the
skin from muscle tissue. This extra space allows for muscles to fire and
recover more quickly.
Why do divers shower after getting out of the pool?
Since the water in the diving pool is typically warmer than the conditions in
the venue, divers like Great Britain's Tom Daley will take a warm shower (or
sit in a hot tub, or both) upon exiting the pool to keep their muscles warm.
Without it, they could cramp, preventing the flexibility and agility required
to execute their dives
Why do track events
run counter-clockwise?
There is no consensus on why this has been the accepted standard for nearly a
Century. In the ancient Greek games the track was just a straightaway and
events were run up-and-back, like swimming. Despite British track powerhouses Oxford and Cambridge
running clockwise, track events in America were run counter-clockwise
on horse racing ovals. In the early part of the 20th Century many nations
adopted this convention, leading to the IAAF adopting it.
What's with the black
card?
Sports like soccer and volleyball have utilized yellow (warning) and red
(ejection) for years but the London Games introduced many sports fans to a
placard with a different hue. During the first week of competition four pairs
of badminton players were issued black cards, which result in disqualification,
for attempting to throw their matches to influence the championship draw.
Why do podium finishers bite their medals?
Since tooth enamel is harder than gold, silver and bronze, athletes, like
Italian trap shooting silver medalist Massimo Fabbrizi, bite their medals to
leave impressions of their teeth in their precious metals. This serves multiple
purposes: For one, if you win multiple medals of the same type, you can use the
bite marks to differentiate which event each medal represents; it's also a
great way to safeguard against theft.
Source : http://sports.yahoo.com
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