Australian Mackenzie Little at a competition in London last month.

More than muscle:The hidden physics of javelin

As well as power,it takes a mastery of the wind,aerodynamics and energy to produce a throw worthy of an Olympic medal.

  • Tony Blazevich

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Australia’s track team at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The war on air:The tactics of team track cycling

The teams that win the air war stand the best chance of winning gold on the steeply sloping track.

  • Tony Blazevich
Nicola Olyslagers soars in the high jump final at the world athletics indoor championships in March.

The scientific secrets of Olympic high jump

Winning a gold medal in high jump isn’t just about jumping the highest – it’s about using speed and energy to get over the bar.

  • Tony Blazevich
A gold-winning performance from Simone Biles.

Why the brain is just as important in gymnastics as physical strength

Gymnasts are known for their physical feats,but it’s their split-second decision-making that separates the medal winners from the ones going home empty-handed.

  • Tony Blazevich
Jessica Fox celebrates after her faultless run in the women’s slalom on Sunday.

Jess Fox and the almost impossible balance between speed and precision

Fox’s stunning success in the canoe slalom relies on a combination of supreme athleticism and an intricate understanding of fluid dynamics.

  • Tony Blazevich
Simone Biles of the US practices on the balance beam during a training session in Paris.

The physics behind Simone Biles’ perfect technique

Simone Biles success isn’t just raw power at play – it’s an extraordinary mastery of the technique needed to get the most out of every bounce.

  • Tony Blazevich
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This photo of Kaylee McKeown at the Australian Swimming trials last month shows us where drag influences a race. The pressure of McKeown’s head pushing into the water forces the water up into a wave in front of her,which takes energy from her and slows her down. This is something that affects all swimmers.

Why staying underwater (and using a dolphin kick) might be the key to gold

Ariarne Titmus and Kaylee McKeown will be racing the best swimmers in the world in Paris,but they have another foe to overcome to win gold.

  • Tony Blazevich