Scientific equipment has helped athletes gain a competitive edge in the Olympic winter games by improving their routine work-outs, and helps them achieve the level of athletic ability that they needed to.
The Olympic Winter Games have become so competitive that athletes are using science to gain whatever advantage they can, even if it’s just a few milliseconds. Speed suits use special polymers that are designed to be strong and elastic. These polymers are made by joining long chains of simple chemical units called monomers. Because they are elastic, speed suits cling to the skin, giving athletes higher speed. Skiers, for example, use skintight spandex suits designed to eliminate any extra drag. Helmets and skis are also scientifically designed to enhance performance. They use a light but strong material called Kevlar. Athletes try to reduce drag in many other ways, such as covering their hair and skin, fusing the seams in their clothing, and wearing special dimpled clothing.
