Taking it Further
Superhuman
How far should athletes go in pursuit of the podium? Ethics Bites asked Michael Sandel about sport and genetic enhancement.
Labolympics
Athletes achieve their best through a mix of hard work and sport science.
There's a wealth of fascinating material available on the themes of Olympic Dreams.
Weblinks
Olympics
BBC Sport Olympics 2008 blog - the inside track on the build-up to Beijing
Coaching
UK Sport Podcast: Episode 3 - Coaching and coach training towards 2012
This programme talks to one of the most influential leaders in British sport, Sue Campbell, about the developments planned for coaching as 2012 approaches. There’s also an interview with one of the first graduates of the Elite Coach scheme: diving’s Adam Sotheran.
Funding
UK Sport – Athlete Personal Awards
This link gives details of how much athletes are funded by the National Lottery dependent on their performance level and means testing applied - the ‘awards calculation’ onward link is particularly interesting.
Preparing for Sporting Success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Beyond
This heavyweight document analyses the efficiency and effectiveness of elite sport. There are some good tables and figures comparing the funding effectiveness of the range of Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The Athens Athlete Report (2.0MB PDF document)
After each Olympic Games a report is produced that outlines British team athletes’ background, finances and opinions on coaching, doping, role models. This report was produced after the 2004 Athens Games.
Sport science
A series of detailed pages which review the aspects of sports science and sports medicine available to athletes through national institutes of sport.
This article, although about rowers, applies to other sports such as boxing and judo where ‘making weight’ is a real issue. You need to make your weight but you also need good fuel ‘in the tank’ to perform – it’s a difficult issue.
BBC 606: Fighting with the GB judo team in Paris
If you’re interested in the ‘making weight’ issue, or the mental side of things, this posting from a leading British Judo team member gives a unique insight into the pressures of competing in this tough sport.
UK Sport Podcast: Episode 8 - Preparing athletes for heat and humidity in Beijing
This episode discusses how science was used to prepare athletes for the challenging conditions in Beijing where heat and humidity are high.
Shanaze Reade
UK Sport: Shanaze Reade’s vodcast
This video by Shanaze explains more about how her sport (BMX) works and the sacrifices she has made since the age of 12 to become a champion.
British Olympic Association podcast: Shanaze Reade Seeking BMX Olympic Gold
More insights into Shanaze’s thinking, and what it takes to get to the top.
Watch Shanaze’s amazing victory by 15 lengths in the 2008 World Championships. You’ll need to select ‘Elite Women Final’. You can also watch her progress through the heats and semis – awesome power and control.
Tom Daly
BBC Sport: Daly staying balanced for Beijing?
Tom talks with candour about trying to keep things balanced and in perspective.
Sky News – Can Plymouth boy make Olympic history?
Some great footage of what it feels like to look from the 10m diving board; and we are joined up there with some young Chinese divers as well!
Jessica Ennis
JessicaEnnis.net (Official Website)
You’ll find a lot of interesting stuff on this website about Jess and her coach’s perspectives on training and preparation.
Jessica Ennis: hopes for Beijing have gone
Following her devastating injury before Beijing Jess gave this exclusive interview about what it was like coping with the lows and disappointment that followed.
Sport
BBC Sport - the BBC's constantly updated online sports news service
BBC Five Live - news and sports coverage and features, message boards, schedule and audio clips
Reith lectures 2008: Chinese vistas - Chinese sporting culture
This is a serious 45 minute lecture by Professor Jonathan Spence, considering how Chinese ideas of sport have evolved over the centuries, culminating in the staging of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Free Openlearn units
Aerobic fitness is integral to successful sports performance and to maintaining good health. But what sort of exercise should you be doing to develop your aerobic fitness? This unit will help you to answer this question by introducing you to principles of aerobic exercise prescription.
Courses
Introduction to sport, fitness and management (E112)
This course will provide you with a knowledge of some of the key issues including: the organisation of sports/fitness provision in the UK; the health benefits of physical activity; fitness training principles; nutrition; legal and safety aspects; and customer care.
Exploring sport online (Y164)
This is a course for all sports fans, whether you’re a spectator or a competitor. You’ll explore different areas of sport from the perspectives of the individual, the team and society. You‘ll also look at improving sports performance through coaching and the place of sport in society, why it is there and what motivates competitors and spectators.
This sporting planet (D170)
Sport is a massive global phenomenon, which matters to individuals, communities and nations. This course offers some explanations of why sport matters by introducing the core debates in the social science of sport and demonstrating the links between sport, society, culture and politics.
Content last updated: 02/07/2008
