Let the high-tech games begin!

Whether it’s the latest new clothing, footwear or monitoring system, technology has always played a big part in sport training and equipment. This summer, the 2012 Olympic Games in London will showcase the apex of athleticism, powered by some impressive gear.

Highlights this year include light-weight running shoes that look like a sock with a thin sole attached. Weighing between 127 and 160, the new footwear is designed to help long-distance runners break records. The Adidas adiPure Adapt and the Nike FlyKnit both use thin soles that force the runner to use the forefoot, creating a more natural stride when running.

The Nike “Turbospeed” full bodysuit is designed to be as aerodynamic as a golf ball and is expected to save athletes 0.023 seconds for every 100 meters they run. The suit has a dimpled texture that actually makes athletes more streamlined. It may not sound significant but in the Olympics even a fraction of a second can mean the difference between placing on the podium and walking away empty handed.

As the official timekeepers of the Olympics Omega will be introducing the Quantum timer, said to be the most precise timekeeping device ever used in a sporting event. The London Olympics will also introduce a new style of starting block for track events. A wide-based foot rest designed by Omega allows for different starting positions for each athlete. Not all athletes have responded favourably to the new blocks, Olympic record holder Usain Bolt complained that they are too short for his size 13.

In addition to all the equipment, the Olympics will be shared and protected by some very sophisticated technology. Atos is the lead technology company for the Summer Games and carried out more than 200,000 hours of technology testing, including staging simulated system attacks. Atos will be protecting about 11,500 computers and servers at locations across Britain. The Olympic Technology Operations Center will be based in Canary Wharf, close to the Olympic Stadium, and will monitor cyber threats second by second.

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in London, United Kingdom, from July 27 to August 12. 

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Adidas adiPure Adapt – Special light-weight running shoes.

http://www.adidas.com/us/product/mens-running-adipure-adapt-m/TD297

Nike Turbospeed – full body suit

http://nikeinc.com/news/2012-usa-track-and-field-uniforms

Quantum Timer, Omega – Precision Timing.

http://www.olympic.org/news/omega-debuts-new-technologies-at-london-2012/168764

Atos Cyber Protection – Preventing cyber attacks on the Games. 

http://www.olympic.org/ioc?articlenewsgroup=-1&articleid=142910