The images you see here represent some of the best moments in sports history, while at the same time representing some of the best data visualization I’ve seen in a while. Not only do these graphics clearly and cleanly demonstrate the massive talent of the competitors in each varied sport, each also does it with a stylish and appropriate display for the data involved. For the information obsessed, these graphics truly prove that data can be beautiful. [Read more...]
With the 2012 Olympic Games soon coming to a close, we thought it might be fun to share these blast from the past photos that were taken at the first modern Summer Olympics. We’ve come a long way since 1896 in technological advancements, civil liberties, and just about every aspect of life; the Olympic games are no exception. The first modern Olympics, known as Games of the I Olympiad were held in Athens, Greece from April 6th through 15th. As you can see the events were a total sausage fest since the French organizer, Pierre de Coubertin, believed the inclusion of women would be “impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic, and incorrect.” [Read more...]
Besides a ridiculous amount of neon on shoes, shorts, tops and jackets adorning the sinewy bodies of the world’s top athletes this year at the 2012 London Olympics, there’s also brightly colored tape decorating their bodies. It’s KT Tape, and it’s used to prevent injuries, and help the body recover from a hard day out on the training grounds or in the competition arenas. It’s applied to the lengths of their dense, rugged muscles to help aid aching joints, shin splints and tennis elbows. Olympic athletes from track and field stars, to soccer players and water polo swimmers have all been known to use it. [Read more...]
As we marvel at the physiques of the athletes in the 2012 Olympics, it is not uncommon to wonder what miracle foods they are using to fuel their lean bodies. UK based Photographer Michael Bodiam and his partner Sarah Parker developed a fun project to show a day on the plate of top athletes in various sports. Using dietician Dan Bernardot’s popular book, Advanced Sports Nutrition, the duo graphically displayed his suggested cutting-edge meal plans for optimal performance. According to Bernadot, “Many of these athletes have such enormous energy requirements and they’re so metabolically capable you could practically throw anything down the gullet and they’d be able to burn it!” [Read more...]
Everybody loves a little national pride. Whether it is from Sweden, Italy, China or the States, Yocky Zhang has captured the symbolic essence of nations and what they stand for. Based in Shanghai, Zhang has worked as a photographer for the past 6 years and as his portfolio has expanded, so has his skill and eye. [Read more...]
The 2012 London Olympics are just 7 days away, and Olympians from around the world are gearing up for the competition. Athletes are completing their final warm-ups, settling into their new living quarters, and eagerly awaiting the massive crowds to fill all the different venues of the Olympic Park. Some of them have accomplished Olympic glory before, while others have spent their entire lives training for this once in a lifetime opportunity. While athletes in various events all have earning potential, there are certain events that garner the most lucrative pay-outs. [Read more...]
It is less than 100 days to the London 2012 Olympics and there are future competitors training hard every day. Through their rigorous training schedules, they develop their beautiful forms, true sculptures of the human body. It is pure muscle and strength. It is the Olympic spirit. [Read more...]
Are you ready to get your Olympic spirit on? It is less than 90 days until the Summer Olympic games begin in London, England. While the torch bearers get ready to run the flame across the UK and construction crews continue to finalize the building of the many stadiums and sporting complexes, recent aerial photos of the Olympic area have been posted. [Read more...]
Flow is an art project that was commissioned by the Cultural Olympiad Commission for the upcoming London 2012 Summer Olympics. The wooden house is basically a floating musical instrument. Its tones are created in a number of ways — the strength of the tides, the saltiness of the water and how murky it is. [Read more...]
Although they look warm enough to hang outside on a cold winters day, these crochet covered animals are far too fine to face any inclement weather. Conceptual artist Shauna Richardson has been creating the full scale, witty yet beautiful pieces for a while now, further pushing her theory that “anything can be art.” [Read more...]
