Revisionist History Pushkin Goes to the Olympics
Jul 26, 2024
Tim Harford is a renowned economist known for his insights into behavioral economics, while Sylvia Blemker is a biomedical engineering professor at UVA, co-founder of Springbok Analytics, specializing in athlete muscle analysis. The conversation delves into the groundbreaking achievements of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics amidst racial tensions. They explore the history of women's marathon inclusion and the transformative role of technology in enhancing athletic performance, showcasing how AI and MRI scans revolutionize training for elite athletes.
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1928 Olympics 800m
- The 1928 Olympics' women's 800m race was wrongly reported as disastrous, with women collapsing.
- In reality, the gold, silver, and bronze medalists all broke world records.
Kathrine Switzer's Boston Marathon
- Kathrine Switzer registered for the 1967 Boston Marathon, despite the common belief that women couldn't run marathons.
- An official tried to remove her from the race, but her coach and boyfriend intervened.
The Real First Woman Marathoner
- Kathrine Switzer wasn't the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.
- Roberta Gibb ran the race a mile ahead of her, unnoticed by officials.
