On the podcast, we don’t focus only on athletes and sports. We share stories from the people behind the scenes that make the Olympics happen. Oftentimes, they’re the people who dig into the science behind sport, searching for that little advantage that will provide the edge needed to win.
If you love sports and science, check out our Science Behind Sports playlist and treat your inner geek to a good time!
How Do You Make an Olympic Volleyball Court?
We love talking about surfaces, so when we had the chance to have Lionel Arlin on the show, we jumped (and spiked!) at it. Arlin is the Sports Federation and Events Manager for Gerflor, manufacturer of the volleyball court, as well as many other sports-floors, for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
Paul Kamphuis on Hockey Turf
Field hockey turf has an incredible impact on the style of play, and it has changed a lot over the decades. In recent years, hockey turf has required thousands of gallons of water, which raises environmental concerns. Paul Kamphuis, general manager of Polytan Asia Pacific (supplier of hockey turf for multiple Olympics, including Paris 2024) explains how the turf is made, why it’s watered, changes that are coming to make the surface more sustainable, and his favorite turf color.
Total Olympics Author Jeremy Fuchs
Author Jeremy Fuchs is one of our people. Fuchs put together an entire book filled with stories from Olympic history that are wild, unbelievable, and entirely true. Total Olympics: Every Obscure, Hilarious, Dramatic and Inspiring Tale Worth Knowing is a must-read for all Olympic nerds.
Olympians Circadian Rhythms with Renske Lok
Olympic and Paralympic athletes travel around the world for competition and that means they are constantly changing time zones. We have all experienced jet lag but no one wants to be out of sorts on the most important day of your life. What can athletes do to make the transitions easier? Dr. Lok studies circadian rhythms and the surprising ways they can affect an Olympian’s performance. [Note: Jill’s taken Dr. Lok’s advice, and it really works!]
Derek Leung on the Geology of Curling Stones
All curling stones come from Ailsa Craig, a small island off Scotland. But that is not the only way the granite is special. Dr. Leung analyzed curling stones throughout their life cycle and uncovered their unique properties and characteristics.
Giles Long Explains the Paralympic Classification System
The Paralympics can be confusing to watch because there are multiple versions of the same event. What do all those letters and numbers mean? It is all about classification, the system by which athletes compete against other athletes with a similar level of disability. Paralympic medalist Giles Long developed LEXI, a simple visual system to explain classification to viewers. Giles explains classification and takes us through the LEXI system.
How Horses Get to the Olympics
For most Olympic athletes, traveling to the Games can be a hassle, but it is really no big deal. But how do equestrian horses make the trip? Peden Bloodstock has been transporting horses to the Olympics since Montreal 1976. Managing Director Martin Stock walks (trots? canters?) us through the process of moving these incredible animals safely across the world.
Adam Stirn, Olympic Zamboni Driver
Every hockey rink needs a Zamboni, and every Zamboni needs a driver. But what happens when a Winter Olympic host country has no history of ice hockey? They import the best! When Korea hosted the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, they needed an ice technician with knowledge and experience. Adam Stirn got the call and took care of the hockey rinks throughout the tournament. Think that’s an easy job? Spoiler alert: it isn’t.
Moving Rio’s Swimming Pools
Last year, when USA Swimming hosted the Olympic Trials in LucasOil Stadium, lots of fans wondered how you put a pool in a football stadium. We know how! Or at least, we know the people who know how. Myrtha Pools is the industry leader in temporary competition pools, and provided pools for Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. We spoke with Trevor Tiffany, chairman of Myrtha Pool USA, about moving the pools after Rio 2016 and the future of temporary swim facilities.
Passing the Relay Baton with Olympian Andrew Rock
We have spoken to a lot of runners over the years and each one has offered unique insight into their sport. But no conversation gets more into the weeds and downright geeky as our chat with Andrew Rock, 2004 gold medalist in the men’s 4×400 relay. We saw some botched handoffs on the Paris 2024 track. How does that happen and how do you get it right? Andrew gives us the runner’s and coach’s perspective.
–Alison Brown
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