Hi-Tech Sports
Cover Story HI-TECH SPORTS TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION IN SPORTS In an age where fractions of seconds decide winners in sporting events, science and technology is truly working overtime to equip sportspersons with that winning edge that could fetch them glory. N.S. ARUN KUMAR OLA Budd was born in South Today, however, a plethora of Africa. A quarter of a century running shoes are available to fit the ago, she was a teenage runner requirements of different sports. Lace- breaking the women’s 5000 m up croquet shoes with rubber soles and Zrecord by 10 seconds. But how does that canvas uppers went on sale in the 1860s, make her special? Well, she ran bare thanks to the discovery of foot! vulcanisation, the process of curing At the prime of her fame, she was rubber by the addition of sulphur. This brought to Britain and sent to compete made way for the performance in the 1986 Los Angeles Olympics enhancing studded football boots, through a hasty subjugation of spiked running shoes and heel-less citizenship. Her immediate rival was cycling shoes. the American blonde, Mary Decker, But modern sports has progressed Bare-footed Zola challenging her at the women’s 3000 much beyond sporting footwear. In Budd speeding away m. They came head-to-head and when fact, the modern sporting gear has there were three more laps to go, truly become varied and hi-tech. Decker staggered from her line and For instance, you have protective collided with Budd. She fell from the wear, principally applying to sports INSIDE THE BAT’S HANDLE track and was unable to continue but where there is a serious chance of the real damage was inflicted on Budd physical injury.
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