I’m really enjoying all the reruns of the Tokyo Olympics and studying the athletes mechanics while appreciating their immense dedication and talent.
These are incredibly gifted athletes. You don’t get into the Olympics without it. But talent is mostly work. And the efficiency built into work is primary for a successful outcome. Although I have not personally worked with these athletes, they are emblematic of a dedicated discipline comprised of a desire to learn and stick to the proper working of their bodies through honoring fundamentals.
Here are 3 that, in my opinion, religiously stick to basics in order to stave off interferences that can creep in due to physical fatigue, pain and mental stress. Even if they start out with great facility and work hard, one can see the beauty of economy in their movements.
The first is my favorite marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge who picked up another Olympic gold medal in Tokyo! I first wrote about him here running in the Berlin marathon (2:01:39) when he was flirting with a sub 2 hour marathon.
He seems to be getting more efficient as he ages! Look at him crossing the finish line at the end of the marathon here. Watch from 3:29 – 3:55. He looks the same as he did when he started, only he is running faster! His gait is light and his hips, knees and feet are tracking in a straight line. The same goes for his arms and shoulders. The power around his slim presence is amazing. His muscular effort is born out of a skeletal alignment that offers the least amount of resistance. The adherence to an economy of movement takes him through the entire race and even lets him increase his speed at the end when it logically would seem impossible.
Here’s another example of a runner who sticks to the fundamentals even when it would be easy to push too hard and lose it at the end. Watch from 4:20 to 4:30. She won a bronze medal in only her 3rd marathon by believing in herself and maintaining the mechanical organization in her gait – until the very end.
And finally, Tom Daley and Matty Lee’s gold winning synchronized dive, so aligned, beautiful and stunning!
Watch from :15 – :30
Please comment with YOUR favorite athletes in the Tokyo Olympics!
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