Top 5 Questions Of The Olympics

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.

What is that tape athletes are wearing?

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