When we watch Winter Olympics athletes, we gasp at the height of a ski jump and skiers going down slopes at 125km/h max speed.
But behind every trick and perfectly executed routine lies something just as powerful as strength or stamina: brainpower.
The Winter Olympics athletes are no longer a show of who’s strongest or fastest. They’re also some of the smartest competitors too.
Science, and specifically, sports science, are now key to anyone performing at their highest levels.
Winter Olympics athletes need to study strategy, assess past performance, understand physics, and constantly refining decision-making skills, sometimes down to the micro-second.
These athletes are human calculators, constantly measuring speed, angles, wind resistance, and ice conditions. One tiny miscalculation? Bye-bye podium.
So, as we celebrate the fastest, strongest, and boldest at the Winter Olympics, it’s time to give credit to another superpower on display: education.
12 smartest athletes who are participating in the Winter Olympics
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Hakeem Abdul-Saboor
Country: US
Sports: Bobsleigh
University: The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sports Management
Source: LinkedIn.
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Margie Freed
Country: US
Sports: Biathlon
University: University of Vermont
Degree: Bachelor’s in Business Administration, with a minor in Sports Marketing and Applied Design
Source: LinkedIn.
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Adrian Yung Hau-tsuen
Country: Hong Kong
Sports: Alpine Skiing
University: University of Hong Kong
Degree: Bachelor of Environmental Science
Source: LinkedIn.
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Charlotte Wilson
Country: Australia
Sports: Freestyle Skiing
University: University of New South Wales
Degree: Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering
Source: LinkedIn.
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Rei Halloran
Country: Japan
Sports: Ice hockey
University: Wesleyan University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics, Psychology, and Data Analytics
Source: LinkedIn
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Abzal Azhgaliyev
Country: Kazakhstan
Sports: Short Track Speed Skating
University: Kazakh Academy of Sport and Tourism
Degree: Bachelor’s in Sports Education
Source: LinkedIn
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Mark Chanloung
Country: Thailand
Sports: Cross-Country Skiing
University: University of Milan
Degree: Bachelor’s in Physical Education
Source: Nation Thailand
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Faiz Basha Munwar
Country: Singapore
Sports: Alpine Skiing
University: University of Strathclyde
Degree: Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Source: LinkedIn.
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Grant Hardie
Country: UK
Sports: Curling
Uni: University of Strathclyde
Degree: Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Source: Team GB
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Troy Samuel Chang
Country: Chinese Taipei, Taiwan
Sports: Alpine Skiing
University: University of California, San Diego
Degree: BA in International Business
Source: UC San Diego Today
Yuliia Dzhima is a Ukrainian World Cup-level biathlete. She is an Olympic champion in the women’s relay and a multiple World Championship medalist. Source: Marcus Cyron
Yuliia Dzhima
Country: Ukraine
Sports: Biathlete
University: Sumy State University
Degree: Bachelor’s in Foreign Languages and Social Communications with a specialisation in Journalism
Source: Biathlon.com
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Tijmen Snel
Country: The Netherlands
Sports: Speed Skating
University: Delft University of Technology
Degree: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s in BioMechanical Design
Source: TU Delft
