Beach volleyball has a special place in the world of sports, and in the Olympics. Therefore, the shapely game also commands some very interesting photography that doesn’t quite show itself in other games. Nate Jones reasoned that the focus of photography was on the body of the athletes, not on the sport. He then created this set of photographs, which imagines what things would be like, if every Olympic sport was photographed like Beach Volleyball.
It’s only a few hours before the biggest sporting event of the year, 2012 London Olympics start off. Opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday, July 28 will also mark the time the Olympic Park becomes open to the general public. There’s quite a lot to be seen at the Olympics Park, in the shape of various tracks, grounds and arenas. Many of these structures have been built keeping the environment in mind, generously using environmentally friendly and recycled materials in construction.
Lionel Messi is only 24, and he’s got 234 goals to his name, making him the top goal scorer in all competitions for FC Barcelona. Watch them all in this 14 minute video. Totally worth the time.
Via Kottke
Fencing is an oft underestimated sport, albeit a very gracious and skillful game. The film was made by Holly Buechel and shows fencing at its full speed, then slows it down to show the sports grace and skill.
Via Core77
Soccer, or football as it is called in most of the world, is the most popular game in the world. And there are many a souls who have absolutely no idea what the game’s Offside Rule is about. Taking the opportunity of the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, the British Royal Mint has released a new 50pence coin explaining the rule. That should do the explaining part. The mint plans to release commemorative coins for every sport in the Olympics.
Via TNT
Dubai’s Burj Al-Arab is the world’s tallest building and one that is filled with every luxury imaginable. What it can also boast about is a tennis court that literally looks down on all others. The world’s highest tennis court is about 650 feet (200 meters) above the ground, and has an area of 4,500 square feet. Well, it isn’t quite a permanent structure, the area is the building’s grass helipad that was converted into a tennis court shortly to promote the Dubai Open back in ’05.
Sepak Takraw is a sport that combines the elements of soccer and volleyball with kung fu. It looks like one hell of a treat to watch, and probably is as good to play if you can get your kung fu right.
Via TheAwesomer
You know what to expect from this video: contestants kicking each other in the shins to wear the crown of the world champion. Contestants grab each other by the collar and kick in the shins, trying to knock down the opponent. Apparently, the sport is some 400 years old, and has changed a lot since that time. At least contestants don’t wear steel-toed boots anymore, neither do they attempt to build pain tolerance by striking their shins with hammers.
Via Bits and Pieces, Geekosystem
For a fast paced and action packed game like football, amongst the thousands injuries you might get, you also run the risk of dehydration. While minor injuries are a part of the game, dehydration and heatstroke can probably be avoided with some inventive use of water. Hydromax system is designed to provide water supply to players in a wearable, armor protected supply. The system incorporates a plastic water bladder and a flexible silicon tube that ends in a bite valve. How useful players find the water supply and the extra weight, probably depends on individual tastes.
Via: Gizmag
Qatar will be the host of the 2022 soccer world cup, but the extreme heat in the middle-eastern country could dampen spirits at what is arguably the most popular sporting event in the world. Wonders of modern tech have come forward to find a way around the problem, with scientists suggesting artificial clouds to cool the stadiums. The artificial clouds will provide shade to the stadium, and also harvest solar energy to power air-conditioning to keep things cool in the stadiums. Each of these “clouds” is expected to cost $500,000.
Via: DailyMail