Pole vaulting is one of the more outlandish Olympic events. The primary instruments of the sport are curious creations—big sticks, between 10 and 17 feet in length, that certain track & field Olympians hold while sprinting, then jab into the ground and hang on to as they hurl themselves through …
Read More »The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Will Be Unlike Any Before It
This story originally appeared in WIRED Italia. It has been translated from Italian. The opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics is designed to be unlike any in years past. For starters, the festivities kicking off the 33rd edition of the Games won't be held in a stadium—they'll take …
Read More »What Climber Jesse Grupper Is Bringing to the Olympics
In the past few years, sport climbing has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. This explosion in popularity could be because of superstars like Alex Honnold, who in addition to starring in the documentary Free Solo now has several climbing shows with National Geographic. It could also …
Read More »Why Paris 2024 Olympic Athletes Are Sleeping on Cardboard Beds
This story originally appeared in WIRED Italia. It has been translated from Italian. Yes, the athletes' beds at the Paris 2024 Olympics are indeed made of cardboard. The paper-based berth news, which has aroused curiosity and some skepticism after some videos of athletes circulated online, was confirmed by the organizers …
Read More »Omega’s AI Will Map How Olympic Athletes Win
On August 27, 1960, at the Olympics in Rome, one of the most controversial gold medals was awarded. At the 100-meter freestyle men’s swimming event, Australian swimmer John Devitt and American Lance Larson both recorded the same finish time of 55.2 seconds. Only Devitt walked away with the gold medal. …
Read More »The Paris Olympics Will Show Us the Future of Sports on TV
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics kick off on July 26 and go until August 11. Hundreds of events will take place over the course of a few weeks, many of them occurring simultaneously. It’s a lot for any sports fan to keep up with. And this year, there are more …
Read More »Paris Mayor Defies Poop Threats to Swim in Seine, and Prove a Point
On a sunny Wednesday in Paris, the city’s mayor inches down a ladder into the blue-brown water of the river Seine, one cautious step at a time. After a few seconds, once Anne Hidalgo’s wet suit is completely submerged, she dons small dark goggles and dunks her face underwater—proving to …
Read More »Airbnb’s Olympics Push Could Help It Win Over Paris
Search for Airbnbs in Paris in late July and you’ll be offered options ranging from a tiny studio with glimpses of the Eiffel Tower for $167 a night up to a stunning luxury apartment steps from the Champs-Élysées for nearly $3,500 a night. The company is also offering two lucky …
Read More »Don’t Think Breakdancing Is a ‘Real’ Olympic Sport? The World Champ Agrees (Kinda)
Philip Kim knows what you’re thinking: Breakdancing? At the Olympics? That’s not even a sport. He agrees with you, mostly. He just prefers you call it by its proper name: “Breakdancing” is something only outsiders say. Those who know call it breaking. But Kim, who is better known as Phil …
Read More »Nike’s Layoffs Prove the Olympics Can’t Solve Its Midlife Crisis
Amid much hoopla at the Palais Brongniart—the former home of the Paris stock exchange—sports giant Nike launched an exhaustive lineup of footwear and apparel innovation ahead of the Paris Summer Olympic games. During the three-day gala event, dubbed Nike On Air, the company debuted new kits for almost every sport. …
Read More »