What the Olympic Games have done for us

The genuine scientific benefits that have emerged from the modern Olympic Games have often been lost in the hype surrounding these high profile international events. Dr Vanessa Heggie, a Teaching Associate in Cambridge University's Department of History and Philosophy of Science, puts the record straight.

As the costs of hosting the upcoming Olympic Games spiral upwards, there is growing concern about the Olympic ‘legacy’. Will Britain as a whole benefit from the 2012 Games – or will the benefits, if there are any, be confined to London?  Most of the discussion focuses on the physical and financial legacy of the Games: the new buildings, improved transport infrastructure and influx of tourist money.  Some has considered less material consequences, such as the possible health benefits the Games might bring in inspiring the nation to take up a more active lifestyle, but other legacies have often been under-reported.
 
What might be surprising is how much scientific research is inspired by the Olympic Games.  My work has shown that some of the most overlooked legacies of the Modern Olympic Games are those in the realms of science and medicine.  It is easy, when we are interested in amateur performers and natural talents, to ignore the scientific and medical professionals working behind the scenes.  In fact, modern sport and modern experimental medicine have enjoyed a close relationship since the end of the 19th century.  Athletes are, after all, useful experimental subjects – where else could you find clinical volunteers who are willing not only to have their blood taken, but also to run for more than two hours?

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Image: Dr Vanessa Heggie  Credit:Vanessa Heggie


Reproduced courtesy University of Cambridge



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