"Citius, Altius, Fortius" – "Faster, Higher, Stronger"
This iconic Olympic motto, chosen by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, has continuously driven athletes to push their limits. Since then, the world of sports has witnessed a cascade of broken records, each more impressive than the last. But one question remains: will these records stop falling one day?
The Stagnation of Records: Have We Reached Our Physiological Limits? 🏋️♂️
Research conducted between 2008 and 2015 by Geoffroy Berthelot, a bioinformatician at the Institute for Biomedical Research and Sports Epidemiology (IRMES), revealed a concerning trend. “Our mathematical models indicate that 50% of Olympic records will reach 99.95% of their limits by 2027, if practice conditions remain unchanged,” he explains. In some disciplines, such as shot put, records seem to plateau, suggesting that we may be approaching the physiological limits of the human species. 🤯
An Expanding Genetic Pool 🌍
However, it’s important to note that the global population has skyrocketed, reaching 8.2 billion people. This growth has led to a proportional increase in exceptional genotypes capable of being trained for high-level performances. In other words, the probability of finding athletes with extraordinary physical abilities has never been higher.
The Impact of Technology: Toward a "Perfect" Athlete? 🤖
Record progression doesn’t rely solely on human capabilities. Technological innovation plays a crucial role in many sports. Take spiked shoes, for example, which have significantly improved sprint performance, or swimming suits, whose materials reduce drag in the water. Although some of these technologies have been banned (such as certain swimming suits), others continue to transform sports performance. In swimming, for instance, modern pool designs with increased depths minimize wave resistance, allowing swimmers to move faster. 🌊
Long Jump and The Ceiling of Progress 🚀
Some disciplines, like long jump, seem to have hit a ceiling. In 1991, Mike Powell set an impressive record of 8.95 meters (current record), a feat few imagine being surpassed by much. However, the history of sports often proves predictions wrong. Usain Bolt’s world record in the 100 meters in 2009 in Berlin, with a time of 9.58 seconds, surprised even the most optimistic scientists. This shows that despite theoretical limits, surprises can always happen.
Women and The Room for Improvement 👩
It’s interesting to note that the margins for improvement appear to be larger for women, particularly because female physiology is still less understood than that of men. This lack of knowledge could offer more room for improvement in many women’s disciplines, both in terms of physical preparation and performance optimization. 🏅
The Ongoing Quest for Excellence 🏅
Even though some studies estimate that only a 0.05% improvement is possible in many disciplines, the thirst for excellence remains unshaken. As science evolves, our understanding of human physiology and training strategies will continue to advance. Coaches constantly explore new approaches to perfect their athletes. For example, in sprinting, key muscle groups (such as the glutes and knee extensors) are better understood today, allowing for more individualized training. 🏃♂️
The Future of Records 🌟
At Genezys, we firmly believe that sports records haven’t yet reached their limits. We are convinced that there are still new ways to improve performance, whether in running with stride optimization or through training techniques. The future of records will also depend on the rules governing competitions. Exceptional athletes will emerge, and we will continue to be thrilled with each new achievement. 🔥
Genezys: Propelling Tomorrow's Champions 🏅
At Genezys, we are committed to supporting these exceptional athletes. Through our platform, fans can collect exclusive FanCards of athletes 🃏, directly contributing to their careers. These FanCards are not just collectibles; they grant access to exclusive athlete content, participation in Genezys Challenges, and the chance to win merchandise, meet-and-greets, tickets, and more.
This unique model, combining FanCards and Challenges, offers sports enthusiasts a new way to invest in their favorite athletes’ careers while enjoying unforgettable experiences. 💫
Join us on Genezys, and together, let’s keep dreaming of new sports records! 🏆
Can you beat the Genezys record for the most beautiful collection? 🏅🎯
