Olympic Games Research Articles

Mesauring sports performance by country according to the natural advantages/desadvantages of competing nations

Sports results have mattered to societies and their rulers, given their impact on the economy, the country's image and political implications. Therefore, it has also been in their interest to find alternative methods to refine their measurement (such as those that weight according to the country’s population and quality of life). This paper introduces a methodological proposal for measuring sports results based on Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 (held in 2021). To this end, four indexes were created. The first included Olympic diplomas in the scoring system; the second counted the number of medal-winning athletes; finally, the third and fourth indexes weighed the previous results on the basis of population and per capita income. Our proposal will make it possible to highlight the sporting performances of countries whose income and population do not allow them to stand out in the traditional rankings.

Unlocking Virality: Analyzing the Factors Driving Olympic Hot Topics on Weibo During the Paris 2024 Games

This study investigates the factors driving the virality of Olympic-related topics on Weibo, focusing on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As one of China's largest social media platforms, Weibo plays a significant role in shaping public discourse and amplifying topics related to global events like the Olympics. By analyzing 242 trending search terms from July 26 to August 11, 2024, this study explores how elements such as keyword choice, emotional appeal, and the presence of news events contribute to a topics popularity. A binary logistic regression model was employed to examine the effects of these variables on the popularity index, categorizing titles into "high" and "low" popularity. The results indicate that highly emotional headlines, particularly those with extremely positive or negative tones, are more likely to become popular. Additionally, titles associated with major news events significantly increase the likelihood of virality. While keyword relevance is a crucial factor in attracting attention, the length of a headline has a limited impact on its success. The type of content publisher also plays a role, with official media sources often garnering higher credibility and engagement compared to self-media or sports media outlets. The studys findings offer practical insights for content creators, media organizations, and brands aiming to maximize their visibility during large-scale events. The analysis underscores the importance of strategically choosing keywords, leveraging emotional resonance, and integrating newsworthy elements to enhance content distribution and public engagement on digital platforms.

The Analysis of the Impact of Gender and Age in Competitive Sports: A Case Study of Olympic Swimming Finals from 2012 to 2024

The elite swimming performance progression is impacted by variable factors such as training advancements, athlete demographics, and physiological traits. A deep understanding of influencing factors and performance trends allows for the development of optimized training strategies and maximizing athletes overall performance. This study conducts a comprehensive investigation into the influence of gender and age on Olympic swimming performance across the 2012 to 2024 Olympic Games, with a detailed analysis of performance trends in various strokes and distances. Data from the top eight finalists in each event were subjected to rigorous statistical analysis, employing t-tests and ANOVA to assess progression patterns and age-related shifts. The findings demonstrate that both female and male swimmers exhibited comparable rates of performance progression over the Olympic cycles, with no statistically significant differences in gender-based performance trends. However, notable exceptions were observed in specific events, such as stagnation in the mens 100m freestyle and womens 200m butterfly during certain periods. The age analysis revealed a general upward trend in the ages of competitors, though younger swimmers were more prevalent in endurance events, while older athletes excelled in sprint disciplines like the 50m freestyle. While the Olympic year did not significantly influence age trends, stroke type and distance were identified as key determinants of age variation among competitors. These results provide nuanced insights into the interaction of gender and age with elite swimming performance, with potential implications for optimizing training protocols and talent development in competitive swimming.

Olympics: Improving the Competition Strategy in Each Skill Technique of Elite Swimmers for the 400 meters Freestyle

Background. In swimming championships, strategy setting is considered to be the main factor, especially in the middle and long-distance events. Implementing a strategic change can indirectly affect the final results. Objectives. The study aimed to find out whether there were any significant differences in reaction time (RT), final time (FT), and strategy for each split time (ST) in the men’s and women’s 400 meters freestyle events at the Olympic Games held in Tokyo (2021), Rio de Janeiro (2016), and London (2012). Materials and methods. This study used quantitative methods with a sample size of 48 athletes. The data source included using the secondary data. Descriptive statistics are presented in the form of means and standard deviations. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to test the normality of the data. To compare RT, FT, and ST data, the one-way ANOVA test was conducted. The linear regression test was used to determine the effect of RT on the first ST. Results. The findings of this study indicate that there were differences in the RT of male athletes during the 3 Olympics. The study also revealed variations in average speed. In general, swimmers accelerated their speed at ST1 and ST8. This occurred at the Tokyo 2021 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, while at the London 2012 Olympics, swimmers accelerated their speed only at ST1. Additionally, the results demonstrated that RT had an influence of 0.381 (14 %) on the first ST in male athletes, whereas the influence in female athletes was less marked — 0.066 (4 %). Conclusions. This study concludes that ST1 and ST8 are the most crucial components in the 400 meters freestyle swimming for both male and female athletes. Coaches and athletes must be very careful in carrying out special training at the tapering stage so that athletes can achieve the right time to produce the best performance.

NOVEL ANGLICISMS IN MODERN MEDIA SPORT COVERAGE

The paper examines novel anglicisms in Slovak and Ukrainian sport commentaries. The lexical material is excerpted from live sports coverage of the Olympic Games. The research findings highlight a notable difference in the extent and nature of linguistic (borrowings from English into Slovak and Ukrainian); however, they provide remarkably similar insights into how language functions in sporting environments and how culture and communication interact to increase audience engagement and satisfaction at sporting events.

The Olympics Legacy, debt crisis and exceptional strategic planning: the case of Athens

ABSTRACT There have been two events in the planning at Athens over the last twenty years: the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Greek debt crisis (2008–2018). We analyse here whether any form of planning other than classic strategic planning was used for these events. The Olympics are a mega event and are often seen as the Holy Grail, an ideal way to boost a city's appeal. A debt crisis implies a policy of austerity. The article’s objective is to explore whether an exceptional strategic planning was implemented for these two exceptional events, side-by-side to the classic strategic planning. This planning method and the way it was rolled out bear the marks of intense private sector involvement, a top-down decision-making process, together with urgency, derogations from the usual project rules, and a focus on a return on investment and limited risk-taking. Planning like this can lead to a contradiction with the spatial priorities of traditional planning, or to a legacy turned more towards the qualitative improvement of the city, by a concern for developing its international attractiveness, rather than to giving priority to adaptation to local needs.

Shaping and Reshaping Narratives: Media Coverage of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Shaping and Reshaping Narratives: Media Coverage of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games

Source variations of atmospheric particles in response to control measures in northern China during 2022 winter olympics and paralympics: Evidence from microscopic analysis.

The physicochemical properties of atmospheric particles including morphologies and composition are directly related to their sources and formation mechanisms. However, most previous studies have been limited to a few sites and small numbers of particles. In this study, we employed computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) to enhance measurement efficiency and enable long-term observations across multiple sites. To investigate properties and source variations of atmospheric particles in response to control measures before, during, and after the 2022 Winter Olympic Games (WOG) and Winter Paralympic Games (WPG), ambient particles were passively collected in 15 northern Chinese cities and automatically analyzed by an advanced CCSEM (IntelliSEM EPAS). Variations in particle numbers (PN), size distribution, elemental composition, and sources were comprehensively analyzed. Over one million particles were classified into mineral, carbonaceous, fly ash, sulfur-related, metal-containing, salt, and biological particles using the user-defined classification rules. The results showed that improved air quality was witnessed during the WOG with reduced PN and anthropogenic particles, but deteriorated during the WPG due to increased coarse-mode PN, mineral, and sulfur-related particles. Beijing and Zhangjiakou exhibited lower AQI, PN, and anthropogenic particles, while non-competition cities experienced higher levels of anthropogenic and sulfur-related particles. Notably, Taiyuan and Shijiazhuang showed distinct emission reductions during the WOG, while Baoding and Tangshan demonstrated less effective control with high levels of sulfur-related and anthropogenic Fe-rich particles. This study shows the capability of CCSEM to provide microscopic evidence of particle sources and behaviors, offering valuable insights into the efficacy of control measures during major events.

In Defence of Fair Play: Boycott Campaigns and the 1936 Olympic Games

In Defence of Fair Play: Boycott Campaigns and the 1936 Olympic Games

Insights from Nowcasting and Mesoscale Research Working Group Projects of the World Weather Research Programme

Abstract Insights from Forecast Demonstration Projects and Research Development Projects, training workshops and symposia, conducted between 2000 and 2024 are summarized. The projects were organized by the Nowcasting and Mesoscale Research Working Group of the World Weather Research Program of the World Meteorological Organization. The objective was to advance, promote and build capacity in nowcasting and very short-range forecasting. The projects were associated with the Olympic Games, emergency management and aviation services. They brought international experts together to work in a collaborative fashion. Extensive interaction with end-users and decision-makers expanded and extended the scope of services from traditional weather hazards (heavy rain, wind, hail, lightning) to include specific user needs (e.g., visibility in complex terrain or airport runways, periods of calm winds or light rain, heat stress). Substantial progress has been made in many areas including: advanced radar nowcasting algorithms, stochastic nowcasts, kilometric and hectometric numerical weather prediction models; blending of observations and models and multi-model systems. Verification was a key and valuable component of the projects quantifying the results. Also, the types of services have expanded to include both summer and winter services, complex terrain and urban environments, air transport, air quality, hydrology and health. Insights are presented in all aspects of nowcasting and very short-range forecasting from end-user decision-making, critical role of the forecaster, forecast systems (models, heuristics, observations), to science and knowledge gaps.

Temporal Structure of Bouts in Men’s Olympic Boxing: Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight Categories

Background: Men’s Olympic boxing follows a regulatory temporal structure, but previous studies have shown that this structure varies during competitions. However, these investigations have not thoroughly analyzed the differences in bout development according to weight category. Additionally, most studies have focused on a limited number of categories, leaving gaps in the temporal analysis of various categories. Aim: To determine the temporal structure in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight categories of men’s Olympic boxing, in order to establish models that can help adjust training to meet competitive demands. Methods: An observational approach was used, analyzing 73 bouts involving 80 boxers who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Results: Most bouts ended after the completion of the full regulation time across all categories. The most common actions were short punching sequences (two to five punches), occurring mainly in the center of the ring. Differences between weight categories were minimal, with the welterweight category showing the most variability. Conclusion: This study presents temporal models that will help coaches and boxers adjust their training with greater precision, improving the efficiency of training sessions according to competitive objectives.

Continuous impact of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on residents’ cognition of ice-snow tourism: an moderated mediation model

ABSTRACT The Beijing Winter Olympic Games (BWOG) have catalysed the growth of ice-snow tourism (IST) in China, but the specific impact path remains uncertain. This study employs the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) Model as a framework to scrutinise the continuous impact of the BWOG on Chinese residents’ cognition of IST. Using 708 questionnaires from Chinese residents, a relationship model is proposed through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and is corroborated by grounded theory, through the analysis of Weibo comments on IST during the first anniversary of the BWOG. The findings indicate a positive correlation between event intensity of the Winter Olympics and travel intention for IST. Furthermore, the perceived utility of IST plays a pivotal mediating role between event intensity and travel intention. Interestingly, event involvement exhibits a negative moderating role, signifying that individuals with low involvement perceive the utility of IST more profoundly. This study, based on these insights, constructs a mechanism to elucidate the impact of mega-sport event tourism effects.

OS IMPACTOS DA TERAPIA ASSISTIDA POR ANIMAIS (TAA) NA IMUNIDADE DOS CÃES: BENEFÍCIOS E DESAFIOS

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a specific type of intervention or treatment, working with the contribution of Veterinary Medicine, with the aim of promoting the social, cognitive, physical or emotional development of human beings who interact with animals. However, there is still no Federal Law in Brazil that regulates Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), with certification to ensure the health and well-being of the animals involved. This article intends to have a scoping review of the literature, with the aim of contributing to new theoretical knowledge on the topic. Therefore, this research will demonstrate a brief report on therapeutic practice and the objective of this study is to identify the direct impacts that Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) causes on the immunity of the dogs involved, highlighting benefits and challenges that this activity can bring into active practice. In view of the above, the practical performance of the Golden retriever therapy dog ​​called “Beacon Miller” and affectionately nicknamed “Goodest Boy” was reflected worldwide at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with a notable role of emotional and psychological support, which benefited not just the athletes, but also the coaches and family members, demonstrating the post-therapy challenges for the therapy dog. Thus, this present study aims to update future Veterinarians on the importance of the therapeutic practice carried out through dogs called Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), demonstrating the essential role that the Veterinarian has in supervising and monitoring the animal. It is essential that this activity also benefits therapy dogs, preserving the health and well-being of the animal that contributed to a social and humanitarian activity. Therefore, the Veterinarian's frequent observation of dogs in therapeutic activity, before, during and after activities, is extremely important to detect impacts or extreme situations early, thus ensuring that the animal acts comfortably in this therapeutic practice.

Aggressive driving behavior: road rage incidents in Athens from the clinical forensic point of view

BackgroundAggressive driving behavior may lead to interpersonal violence. The Athens Metropolitan area has over four million inhabitants. Public transportation has improved over the last decades, mainly due to the work performed before the 2004 Olympic Games but is still lacking in the coverage of the Attica region with fixed track transportation. Thus, traffic in Athens is usually heavy during the day, a fact that combined with limited parking spaces available, acts as fuel to aggressive driving behaviors.For this retrospective study, data from forensic clinical examinations performed at our department by the authors were reviewed. More specifically, cases examined from January 1st, 2012, to September 30rd, 2021, all concerning allegations for road rage were included, totally 177 cases. The data obtained was analyzed by utilizing SPSS Statistics.ResultsMost victims and perpetrators were drivers of their vehicles. In most cases (85.3%), perpetrators acted alone. 80.2% of victims reported that the incident was triggered by a minor conflict. Perpetrators used mostly just their hands and feet, or even their head as a blunt force instrument to inflict injuries (72.3%). Hammers, crowbars, and brass knuckles were used in 12.4% of cases, while in 9.6% the vehicle was used to overrun the victim. In 2.8% of cases, perpetrators attempted to strangulate the victims, while in 1.7% they used a sharp force instrument. In 9.6% of cases, victims did not sustain any visible external injury. 18.1% of victims sustained just a single injury, while in 72.3% multiple injuries were observed. 69.5% victims sustained merely external injuries, while in 20.2% at least one internal organ injury was sustained. The predominant injury site was by far the head-neck region. In more than one third of the road rage incidents, the injuries could be characterized as grievous.ConclusionsMost people involved were male motorists. Females are rarely victims of road traffic violence, and even more rarely act as perpetrators. Commonest injury site was the head-neck region, with second commonest the upper extremities.

Multimodal Discourse Interpretation of the Paris Olympics Mascot

Background: This study aims to analyze the design intention of the mascot of the Paris Olympics from a multimodal perspective. As the host of the 2024 Olympic Games, Paris' mascot carries rich meanings. With globalization and technological advancement, information spreads multimodally, and multimodal discourse analysis is important to understand how the mascot interacts with different audiences, conveys meanings as well as bridges cultural differences, and spreads the Olympic spirit and cultural heritage of the host country. Methods: Taking Kress and Van Leeuwen's visual grammar as the theoretical basis, based on multimodal discourse analysis under the perspective of social semiotics, and combining with the analysis indexes in the multimodal image analysis software, the mascots of the Paris Olympic Games are visualized and interpreted to explore their image characteristics, design concepts and social significance. Results: the mascot is analyzed from three aspects: reproduction meaning, composition meaning and interaction meaning. In terms of reproduction, the mascot is related to the Olympic Games and French culture; in terms of composition, the emblem and other elements are the core information carrier, and the color and other elements play an important role; in terms of interaction, the mascot has a variety of interactions with the viewers and so on. Conclusion: Olympic mascots are important components of Olympic culture. The multimodal discourse analysis comprehensively and accurately interpreted the connotation of the mascot of the Paris Olympic Games, reflecting the information of the organizing country and integrating it with the Olympic movement, reflecting the spirit of sports. The study has deficiencies, and the mascots can be further explored in the real context.

Forecasting judo medal winners at the Olympic Games: an interaction of the International Judo Federation World Ranking List and the Elo System

The aim of this study was to verify which ranking list predicts Olympic results better: one created by Elo system, one using the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Ranking List (WRL), or another using the combination of both. The data utilized comprised the outcomes of 93,728 matches, encompassing 42,844 matches from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games cycle and 50,884 matches from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games cycle. These matches were held across 311 events, all of which contribute points to the IJF WRL. The data was sourced from https://judobase.ijf.org. A total of 8,142 male and 4,736 female judo athletes from all weight categories were analyzed. We employed two variables as proxies for athletes’ performance throughout the Olympic cycle: the positions in the IJF WRL and the ratings from the Elo System. A binary-response model was utilized. In this model, “success” denoted an athlete receiving a medal, while “failure” indicated otherwise. A combination of the WRL and Elo system better predicted Olympic performance of judo athletes. Additionally, for each rank position an athlete improved in the IJF WRL, there was an increased probability to win an Olympic medal of approximately 7.50%, while for each 10 Elo rating score improvement, the athlete increased the probability to win an Olympic medal in approximately 9.26%. When both systems were used together, the accuracy of the model was approximately 91%, with a sensitivity of nearly 68-69%, and a specificity close to 95%, for Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo editions isolated or grouped. Such information can serve as a valuable tool for national federations staff in selecting the most suitable athletes to participate in the Olympic judo competition, if both the WRL and an Elo rating system are used together.

Development of a 3X3 Basketball Training Program Based on the Game Analysis

Background and Aim: The classic game of five-a-side basketball, which was first introduced as an official competition at the 32nd Olympic Games, gave rise to the new sport of 3x3 basketball. At the 32nd Olympic Games, China's women's 3x3 basketball team made history by winning the bronze medal and demonstrating exceptional competitiveness. The world's top teams still differ from one another, though. In addition, 3x3 basketball will become more well-known and appreciated in China. As much as we should celebrate the outcome, we also need to get ready for the Chinese team's next matchup against the best teams in the world. This article's primary research objective is to develop a three-woman basketball training regimen based on the analysis's findings. The research objectives are: 1) To study the results of the analysis of techniques, tactics, and quality of three women's basketball teams. of China in the 32nd Olympic Games. 2) To create a basketball training design based on the analysis results.3) To find the effectiveness of a 3-players basketball training plan created from the results of the game analysis Materials and Methods: This study adopts literature research, investigation, data analysis, logic analysis, and experiment methods. The sample included Chinese basketball players and 32 athletes from seven countries, including Romania, Russia, Italy, Japan, the United States, Mongolia, and France. In the experiment, 15 women's basketball athletes from Zhaoqing College were randomly selected for targeted training, and comprehensive tests were carried out before and after training to evaluate the effectiveness of the training plan. Result: The research results found that 1) Obtain a 3-person basketball training exercise from the game analysis results. 2) Obtain an effective 3-person basketball practice according to the set criteria of 80/80 with an efficiency of 85.75/95.75. It shows that this training plan is very effective for improving the performance of athletes. Conclusion: The 3X3 basketball training method based on the analysis of the game data is very effective for improving the level and performance of the athletes.

Determining Validity and Reliability of an In-Field Performance Analysis System for Swimming.

To permit the collection of quantitative data on start, turn and clean swimming performances in any swimming pool, the aims of the present study were to (1) validate a mobile in-field performance analysis system (PAS) against the Kistler starting block equipped with force plates and synchronized to a 2D camera system (KiSwim, Kistler, Winterthur, Switzerland), (2) assess the PAS's interrater reliability and (3) provide percentiles as reference values for elite junior and adult swimmers. Members of the Swiss junior and adult national swimming teams including medalists at Olympic Games, World and European Championships volunteered for the present study (n = 47; age: 17 ± 4 [range: 13-29] years; World Aquatics Points: 747 ± 100 [range: 527-994]). All start and turn trials were video-recorded and analyzed using two methods: PAS and KiSwim. The PAS involves one fixed view camera recording overwater start footage and a sport action camera that is moved underwater along the side of the pool perpendicular to the swimming lane on a 1.55 m long monostand. From a total of 25 parameters determined with the PAS, 16 are also measurable with the KiSwim, of which 7 parameters showed satisfactory validity (r = 0.95-1.00, p < 0.001, %-difference < 1%). Interrater reliability was determined for all 25 parameters of the PAS and reliability was accepted for 21 of those start, turn and swimming parameters (ICC = 0.78-1.00). The percentiles for all valid and reliable parameters provide reference values for assessment of start, turn and swimming performance for junior and adult national team swimmers. The in-field PAS provides a mobile method to assess start, turn and clean swimming performance with high validity and reliability. The analysis template and manual included in the present article aid the practical application of the PAS in research and development projects as well as academic works.

Legacy and urban regeneration: long-term local impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games

ABSTRACT The 2012 London Olympics Games bid emphasized using the Olympics as an urban regeneration catalyst of one of London’s poorest areas and one of the Games’ legacies. This study’s contribution is an examination of this legacy using 2001–2022 data, analysing the pricing and sales changes in the residential property market in London’s 656 electoral wards, before and after the IOC announced the location of the Games in 2005, and when the Games were held in 2012. The results reveal a slight and short-lived positive difference between the Olympic Park wards and the rest of the city, particularly after the awarding announcement and the Games themselves. Regeneration efforts were successful but not necessarily in the ways outlined in the bid, as the local community (as was prior to the announcement) is not necessarily the main benefactor due to the predictable migration and gentrification of the area. The London Games exemplify the potential legacy of the Olympic Games but is also a cautionary tale for local communities in host cities.

Residents’ trust, perceived benefits and support for mega-sporting events: insights from the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to reveal the interrelationships between residents’ perceived trust, perceived social and personal benefits and event support intention for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The interrelationships were investigated over time.Design/methodology/approachData were collected twice (Time 1: 7–9 September 2021 and Time 2: 7–9 September 2022) using a panel design. Stratified online sampling was employed based on resident status, age and Olympic and Paralympic viewership (n = 714). Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the data.FindingsTrust strongly affected personal and social benefits at Time 1 and event support at Time 2. However, social benefits at Time 2 did not significantly influence event support at Time 2. The reciprocal effects of personal and social benefits at Time 1 and Time 2 were observed to be weakly related or not related.Practical implicationsBidding procedures often require public backing. Actors must explain how residents will be affected generally and which benefits might derive from the megasport event. Briefings would also boost event openness. Messages that locals can apply to their own lives are more important than explaining how society will change.Originality/valueThis study contributed to the literature by applying the concepts of trust and buy-in from social exchange theory to the context of mega-sporting events. The findings highlighted that the success of such events hinged on resident buy-in. Contrary to previous studies, this research clarified that while residents may have distrusted certain entities, they still supported the event, indicating that trust and buy-in operated independently.