What Is the Speed of That?

Grenadian decathlete Lindon Victor wins bronze at the Olympics, throwing the discus at over 46 mph. The Olympics showcase a wide variety of flying objects, from the fast badminton birdie to the slow shot-put, each with different speeds that play a crucial role in determining the winner. The birdie, made of 16 goose feathers and weighing less than two-tenths of an ounce, is one of the fastest projectiles at the Games. On the other hand, the men’s shot-put weighs a hefty 16 pounds, requiring athletes to throw it over three-quarters of a basketball court to win a medal. The difference in speeds between these objects highlights how important speed is in determining the outcome of events. Speeds of the objects were tracked using a sports radar gun, showing the peak speeds reached during competition. The article emphasizes the significance of an object’s speed in determining success in Olympic events and encourages readers to follow The New York Times’ coverage of the Games. Additional sources for the article include U.S.A. Archery, Lancaster Archery Academy, and various Olympic athletes and coaches.

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Photo credit www.nytimes.com