Paralympic athletes 'boost' performance by breaking toes, electrocuting their legs or twisting their scrotum

These are just some of the lengths that athletes with spinal injuries will go to increase their maximum performance by forcing a rise in blood pressure.

Known as 'boosting', the practice emulates the natural rise in blood pressure experienced during exercise by  those without spinal injury. However, in doing so the athletes are putting their health on the line as they enter a state of 'autonomic dysreflexia' which can lead to permanent damage to the blood vessels in the eyes or lungs and potentially to a fatal stroke.

Despite being banned a survey of paralmpians who competed in Beijing revealed it continues.

"Participants were specifically asked the question: "Have you ever intentionally induced autonomic dysreflexia to boost your performance in training or competition?"

Of the 60 participants who responded, 10 (16.7%) responded affirmatively while 50 (83.3%) responded negatively.

All the positive responses were obtained from the male participants, with the majority competing in wheelchair rugby (55.5%), followed by wheelchair marathon (22.2%) and long distance racing (22.2%)"

Via: BBC News

London 2012 may be over but the training is already underway for Rio 2016

Here the New York State synchronised swimming team take to the water in the hopes of securing their spot in the Brazilian games.

Four more years until the next Olympics... Google doodle

Today marks the end of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Away from the action on the track or in the stadiums, one of my favourite parts of the tournament has been the specially themed Google Doodles.

Amongst the tributes have been four interactive doodles, allowing you to compete for the gold. Click on the pictures below to have a go for yourself.

My own scores have been embarrassingly poor so here's a video of CaptainSparklez's efforts instead.



Via: CNET UK

The moment that Katie Taylor's hometown saw her win Gold

It's not every day that a small Irish town gets to see one of it's own become an Olympic champion.

If you insist on objectifying female athletes, at least learn how sports bras work

While most of the attention given to the male Olympic athletes is focused on their athletic performance, when it comes to female athletes a large portion of the media is concerned solely with their appearance.

No stranger to the problems of being a woman in environment where females are routinely seen as mere sex objects for the pleasure of males, YouTuber Jenna Marbles takes this opportunity to educate those who seem to have no idea of the effect sports bras or swimsuits have on the female physique.

"Are they flattening their boobs or are they just flat chested? You have no idea what that person actually looks like"

NSFW language

"Because greatness is not in one special place, and it is not in one special person"

This line from Nike's current advertising campaign may be in direct contradiction to one of the Top 10 Muhammed Ali Quotes featured in a post yesterday, but it's certainly hard to argue with.

With a voice over by Tom Hardy (without the encumbrance of Bane's mask) this clip reminds us that London, UK is not the only place great athletes can be found right now.



There are a whole series of advertisements in the campaign but this for me is the most inspirational of the set.



Via: Philip DeFranco

Is London 2012's claim to have female competitors from every single country, a myth?

Much has been made of the blow London 2012 has struck for gender equality in sports, through being the first Olympic games to include at least one female competitor in every competing national team.

Why then do the team profiles for Barbados and Nauru feature an exclusively male line up?

Via: @electroweb

The most heartbreaking moment of London 2012?

Germany's Stephan Feck slips on the springboard and is unable to retain control of his dive. Scoring zeros across the board, it prevents him from progressing any further in the competition.

How fast is Usain Bolt in comparison to the Olympians of yesteryear?

The New York Times has put together a video in which Usain Bolt's latest gold medal performance is set against every other medal winner since 1896, showing just how much sprinters have improved over the years.

Click here to watch

It's also surprising to see that despite having had no recent success, the British are still second in the table for men's 100m medals, just ahead of current top dogs Jamaica and the historically dominant USA.

Via: James O'Malley on Twitter

Olympic Spoilers: China & USA get married at the end

Lamebook | via

'Laser Pointer Cat Bowling' should be a new Olympic sport

(For some reason this has been sat in my drafts folder since Feb 2011)

Rules:
1. Build a tower out of plastic cups
2. Get cat's attention with a laser pointer
3. Create awesomness
4. Competitors will be screened for catnip


Via: urlesque

Topless Olympic protesters arrested outside City Hall

Ukrainian women's right group Femen staged a topless protest against the perceived support being given to "Bloody" Islamist regimes, by the I.O.C. allowing them to compete in the Olympics.

(NSFW due to uncensored nudity)

Watch Team USA's Tribute to Muhammad Ali

Muhammed Ali's participation in the opening ceremony of London 2012 was a pleasant surprise.

"What makes a great photograph great?"

This Irish sailing commentator will leave you crying with laughter

Boats from Francis Higgins on Vimeo.

Today you should feel proud for humanity

The past few days have seen some inspiring events that show us just what mankind is capable of. Years of dedication and hard work being tested by just a few short moments.

From the Olympic 100m final which saw Usain Bolt confirming that he is still the fastest athlete in the history of our species...

Click here for video from the BBC

Will Ferrell loves watching young Russian girls cry

During a recent appearance on Conan O'Brien, Will Ferrell admitted to enjoying the look of defeat on the faces of the Olympic losers non-winners.

Come on, it's something I'm sure we've all been guilty of at some point.