Once every two years, the top athletes in the world vie for the coveted Olympic gold medal. Prepare for the 2018 Winter Olympics by learning where this age-old competition began, what it has to do with Zeus, and how it inspired truce in times of war.
Michael Phelps stands 6 feet 4 inches (193 centimeters) and weighs 195 pounds (88.5 kilograms), with the broad shoulders and slim waist common to the elite swimmer.
But consider his body measurements a little closer and it becomes clearer why Phelps is dominating these Olympic Games.
He has an extended trunk and relatively short legs, a distinct advantage in the water. The inseam of his pants is reportedly 32 inches (81 centimeters), shorter than that of Hicham El Guerrouj, the great Moroccan runner, who is 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters) but all legs.
Phelps has double-jointed elbows, knees, and ankles, which allows him to bend himself like few swimmers can. His size-14 (European-size 48.5) feet are like giant fins.
Add to that the
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