So why is it that none of the African marathoners were wearing sunglasses in Athens today. I am sure that Oakley and others would love to see their glasses on the likes of some of these athletes. Any particular reason why these guys as a group shun sunglasses ? Too much weight ? Too hot with glasses ?
So why is it that none of the African marathoners were wearing sunglasses in Athens today. I am sure that Oakley and others would love to see their glasses on the likes of some of these athletes. Any particular reason why these guys as a group shun sunglasses ? Too much weight ? Too hot with glasses ?
This was told to me by an ophthalmologist years ago. The highest incidence of skin cancer and cataracts per capita was in Australia. He said that the population of Northern Europeans (i.e. British and Dutch) did not have, evolutionary wise (something to do with melanin and pupils and eye color and producing Vitamin D required for strong and straight bone growth), what was needed to protect them from the sun at that latitude. He said, for example, the native Aborigines have whatever it was that the Northern Europeans didn’t have, and tolerated the sun/glare better. Maybe that applies to the Moroccans, Tunisians, Kenyans, Nigerians, et al. as well.
Perhaps they don’t have the desire to try and look cool…no Hollywood influence…
It’s not sunny where the Africans live so they’re not used to wearing sunglasses. =)
Anyone really think that the sunglasses are to detract the glare?
What happened to all the “breathe right” strips that were so prevalent last olympics? Did they lose their effectiveness over the last 4 years? Or were they just the “fashion statement” (cool equipment) of the week?
I doubt the Brazilian would have been attacked had he been wearing a pair of Rudy Project sunglasses. He would have looked invincible and probably won the race.
Winning and losing comes down to understanding which details are important.
-Robert
Paula Radcliffe was wearing a Breathe Right strip. Not sure that means much other than Paula Radcliffe thinks they work, but I did notice it.
** None of the African Marathoners were wearing Sunglasses** . . . or funny hats with logos, or watchs or heart rate monitors, or had coaches yelling out splits at them . . they just ran! Funny how that works.
Over 1/3 of them were wearing watches.
I thought it was interesting too that not many were wearing sunglasses. I always were my sunglasses when I am outside because the glare is no fun. I will wear an ugly pair if I have to just because it is more comfy.
Why wear an HRM during a race like that? The know how there body feels at different HRs, and it is not run right at a specific rate or anything like what most use them for. Like wearing an HRM during a RR. It gives insite to when you will be dropped 
I think their eyeballs are more aero than Europeans, they don’t get any extra benefit.
some of the track runners’ eyeballs are so non aero, they have to wear glasses at night. but then, they also wear the superpowered necklaces, the kind that make them tenths of seconds faster. I couldn’t tell for sure, but I think gold is faster than silver, and crucifixes are definitely the fastest.
The Olympic marathon is more like a crit than a TT, in that your pace is to some extent dictated by both the actions of others and your own body. When someone in the pack surges, they all surge (or get dropped) regardless of HR. Thus the use of HRM’s is limited and just adds dead weight and discomfort. Personally, I prefer the view I get without the rims of my glasses/sunglasses getting in the way, but then again, I wear prescription sunglasses, so the options are to get a better but blurry panorama, or get a smaller field of view that is clear and get sun-wind-dirt protection. I typically go for the latter, especially on the bike.