As the countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics continues, athletes from around the globe are pushing the boundaries of human performance. The secret behind their success is not just raw talent and rigorous training but an increasing reliance on cutting-edge technology. 

Starting off in the water, swimming has made great strides in the past few decades to shave crucial seconds off the clock. Heart rate monitors, motion sensors and underwater cameras are all common pieces of technology that top-of-the-line swimmers use. Swimmers require precise information as they work to improve their technique, hoping to make their motions slightly more efficient.

Besides heart rate, there are biosensors that “record blood pressure, body temperature, stroke rate, breathing rate” and just about anything else an athlete could want to know about their body while performing at high levels. These measurements allow athletes to optimize their training regimen and recovery periods, ensuring they remain in peak condition year-round.

This past year, a team of researchers at the University of Virginia published a study titled “Swimming in Data,” where they attached sensors to various parts of Olympic swimmer Claire Curzan’s body to develop a “digital twin” of the athlete. Curzan and her coaching staff can then work together to analyze potential deficiencies in technique and create a training program built on improving upon those weaknesses.

Out of water, Eliud Kipchoge was the first person to break through the two-hour mark for a marathon, but did so with so much external help to the point that it didn’t count as an official world record by the World Athletics.

Kipchoge famously had a group of pace runners that alternated throughout his race, a car with a laser that set the pace, a team of nutritionists handing him fluids to give him more energy and specially crafted Nike running shoes. All of these measures taken by Kipchoge’s team reportedly took several minutes off of his total time.

Similar to swimmers, Kipchoge also finds it necessary to track several key biometrics during his training. Besides a watch, he carries a pod that tracks his step count and leg balance, along with a heart rate monitor. Kipchoge also uses a glucose sensor, which is worn by inserting a thin filament into the back of his upper arm. The constant measuring of his glucose levels gives him a much better understanding of glucose in relation to his performance.

Noah Lyles, star American sprinter, also obsessively measures his performance, albeit for much more explosive events. As a top-level athlete, Lyles has every part of his regular training routine completely dialed in, from his workouts to his recovery.

However, Lyles seeks to gain a competitive edge through analyzing his motion with a biomechanist to understand his weaknesses and what he has to overcome. For example, Lyles used force plates and slow-motion video to help work on his start, a weak point for him, and realized that his right shoulder cuff was not activating in time.

Moving to the dojo, Teddy Riner has been a dominant force in judo for years. Along with standard devices used across sports, such as wearable devices to monitor various biometrics, judo athletes make use of compression clothing and cryotherapy for recovery. Many high-impact sports require detailed and thorough recovery plans for their athletes to maintain performance and avoid injuries.

While video-on-demand review has been an integral tool for coaches across multiple sports for decades, judo teams are using increasingly advanced video analysis software to provide real-time feedback to their athletes. These services allow for more opportunities to provide precise refinements to Riner’s movements, which can make all the difference between a victory and a loss.

It is abundantly clear as the Olympics approach that innovative technology is playing a pivotal role in the success of many athletes, allowing them to constantly push the boundaries of human performance.