Summer Olympics

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Why don’t sprinters start with a pistol anymore? They’re too fast

The classic starting gun leaves too much margin of error, so London has switch to an electronic beep.

Susan Williams smiles at her daughter, Sydney, after she receives the bronze medal during ceremonies for the women's triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Susan Williams' Guide to Watching the Triathlon

The bronze medalist offers a cheat sheet on her sport's rules, maneuvers and game-changing moments

Charles Austin competes in the high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Charles Austin's Guide to Watching the High Jump

The gold medalist offers a cheat sheet on his sport's rules, maneuvers and slang

Natalie Golda looks to pass the ball during a preliminary round water polo match at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Natalie Golda's Guide to Watching Water Polo

The silver medalist tells you all you need to know about her sport

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Photos: Your Favorite Summer Olympian

Recall the athletes who capture our imaginations every four years and let us know who is your favorite

Fanny Blanker-Koen crosses the finish line to become the first triple champion of the 14th Olympic Games.

How Fanny Blankers-Koen Became the 'Flying Housewife' of the 1948 London Games

Voted female athlete of the 20th century, the runner won four gold medals while pregnant with her third child

One goal at the 2010 World Cup reignited a debate that sparked the future introduction of goal line technology.

Gooooal! Two Technologies Compete to Sense Soccer Goals

A major botched call by referees during the World Cup has opened the door for computerized replacements

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Document Deep Dive: A Peek at the 1948 Games in London

Records at the National Archives in London show how organizers cobbled together the 1948 "Austerity" Games

Can you predict how fast these women will run the 100m hurdles? Math might.

How to Win Money by Predicting the Olympics

Statistics could help predict just how fast athletes will run and swim at this summer's Olympics

Dana Chladek competes in the Olympic Slalom Trials in 1992.

Dana Chladek's Guide to Watching Canoe Slalom

The silver medalist explains the ins and outs of her sport

Anna Goodale (right) and Zsuzsanna Francia (left) compete in the women's pairs event at the FISA Rowing World Cup in Germany in 2008.

Anna Goodale's Guide to Watching Rowing

The gold medalist shares her favorite Olympic moment, and explains the basics of her sport

Recent studies indicate that the brain's insular cortex may help a sprinter drive his body forward just a little more efficiently than his competitors.

A Single Brain Structure May Give Winners That Extra Physical Edge

An extraordinary insula helps elite athletes better anticipate their body's upcoming feelings, improving their physical reactions

Jean Jacoby's Corner, left, and Rugby. At the 1928 Olympic Art Competitions in Amsterdam, Jacoby won a gold medal for Rugby.

When the Olympics Gave Out Medals for Art

In the modern Olympics’ early days, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians battled for gold, silver and bronze

As the Olympic Games head to London, you should head to the Mall.

Olympic Games at the Smithsonian

Before you settle into your couch to watch the Olympics, get down to the Smithsonian for exhibits, games and more

The 400 meter race on 1984 Olympic track

The Science Behind London Olympics’ “Springy” Track

When the athletes hit the track at this summer's Olympic games, they'll be stepping onto a surface as finely tuned as they are

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Does Double-Amputee Oscar Pistorius Have an Unfair Advantage at the 2012 Olympic Games?

Science shows that Pistorius uses less energy than his competitors, raising questions about whether or not he should allowed to compete in London

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The History of the Olympic Pictograms: How Designers Hurdled the Language Barrier

Infographic design first appeared at the Olympics in 1948, when the games were last in London

Greg Louganis competes in a diving event held in August 1984 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Greg Louganis' Guide to Watching Diving

The gold medalist offers a cheat sheet on his sport’s rules, maneuvers and slang

Sada Jacobson Baby (right) of the United States battles with Leonore Perrus of France in the bronze medal match in the Women's Team Sabre event at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Sada Jacobson Bâby's Guide to Watching Fencing

The silver medalist explains the equipment, rules and maneuvers of her sport

Tara Nott Cunningham attempts a snatch during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Tara Nott Cunningham's Guide to Watching Weightlifting

The gold medalist offers a cheat sheet on her sport's rules, maneuvers and slang

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