HealthFebruary 24, 2026
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn’s compartment syndrome scare explained
One of the U.S.’s most decorated downhill skiers, Lindsey Vonn, revealed she almost had to have her leg amputated because of a life-threatening condition
The Science of the 2026 Winter Olympics
From the dizzying spins of figure skating to the geology of curling stones to the toll skiing takes on the body, there is plenty of science behind the thrilling sports of the Winter Olympics. Follow our coverage here to learn more.
Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
Materials ScienceFebruary 21, 2026
Italy promised durable Olympic medals. Science had other plans
A small design flaw in the medals for the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina turned a durability promise into a very public stress test
FitnessFebruary 18, 2026
This key fitness metric is crucial for Olympic ski mountaineering—and regular health, too
VO₂ max is an important measure of aerobic conditioning, whether you’re an Olympian or just a person hoping to stay healthy
SportsFebruary 12, 2026
The physics of ‘Penisgate’ and how ski jumpers fly
A scandal involving allegedly enlarged ski suits ahead of this year’s Winter Olympics has highlighted the intriguing physics behind ski jumps
FoodFebruary 11, 2026
What does it take to eat like an Olympian?
There’s more to Winter Olympians’ diets than calories—but for some, there are also lots and lots of calories
GeologyFebruary 10, 2026
The quirky geology behind Olympic curling stones
The rocks used in the Olympic sport of curling come from one island in Scotland and one quarry in Wales. What makes them so special?
SportsFebruary 9, 2026
How the ‘Quad God’ lands impossible jumps
How do figure skaters like Ilia Malinin keep landing harder and harder jumps?
SportsFebruary 7, 2026
Lindsey Vonn’s knees reveal the toll of elite skiing—and the body’s resilience
The decorated Olympic skier has had numerous injuries and a partial knee replacement but still plans to go for the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Climate ChangeFebruary 4, 2026
Even snowmaking won’t save the future of the Winter Olympics
As Earth’s temperature rises, fewer places will be suitable for hosting the Winter Olympics
DepressionJuly 30, 2024
For Olympic Athletes, First Come the Games—Then Come the Post-Olympics Blues
Here’s what experts and former athletes have to say about dealing with post-Olympics mental health struggles
SportsJuly 25, 2024
Is Technology in the Olympics a Form of Doping or a Reality of Modern Sport?
Technological doping refers to the use of equipment—from swimsuits to super shoes—that provides an unfair athletic advantage. But the boundaries of what is allowed are somewhat arbitrary
PhysiologyFebruary 14, 2022
How Olympic Figure Skaters Break Records with Physics
An exercise scientist explains the biomechanics behind jumps such as the quadruple Axel and what the body’s limits are
SportsFebruary 11, 2022
Olympic Ski Jumping: Falling or Flying in Style?
An interplay of gravity, lift and drag allows athletes to soar astonishingly far through the air
Quantum PhysicsFebruary 8, 2022
The High-Speed Physics of Olympic Sledding, Explained
There is more to the bobsled, luge and skeleton events than merely sliding down steep, icy slopes
EngineeringFebruary 14, 2018
Winter Olympics: Could Plastic “Ice” Help Overcome Bias toward Colder Countries?
Bobsled, luge and skeleton tracks lined with plastic rather than ice could make those sports more accessible worldwide
NeuroscienceFebruary 9, 2018
Go Figure: Why Olympic Ice Skaters Don't Fall Flat on Their Faces
The athletes’ brains get rewired with practice to counteract reflexes and execute complex routines
The SciencesFebruary 8, 2018
Why Do Curling Stones Curl?
Curling at the highest level requires careful calculations and a little finesse with physics.
The SciencesFebruary 2, 2018
Olympic Big Air Snowboarders Use Physics to Their Advantage
The PyeongChang Winter Games will debut big air snowboarding, where athletes who master the laws of physics will be most likely to medal and avoid injury