Experts have picked out the three hardest Olympic sports at the Paris Games.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are in full swing, so far China have won the most gold medals having won events in diving, swimming, BMX and table tennis.
Meanwhile, Team GB have also had a good start to the competition. They are currently sixth in the standings having secured six golds, seven silvers and seven bronze medals.
With the games in full swing, the three most difficult sports to master have been picked out by experts.
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According to Bleacher Report back in 2016, water polo is the toughest sport in the world based on six parameters: strength, endurance, speed, agility, skill, and physicality.
Trainer and exercise physiologist Nandini Collins said to Business Insider: “Water polo is played with reckless abandon and is more violent than spectators assume.”
The report by Business Insider then declared gymnastics as the second most difficult sport after four of their seven experts named it as the most demanding sport.
Director of Physiatry HSS Florida, Dr Kathleen Davenport said: “There is a high level of risk with the elements, and gymnasts are required to master balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance of both upper and lower extremities in order to achieve Olympic-level greatness.”
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In third place, a few different sports were named. For example, swimming got a vote for its overall toughness and the need for mental strength.
Meanwhile, boxing, decathlon and the 800-meter sprint each received a point for being the most physically challenging sport.
Trainer Jon P said: “Runners literally have to run at 90% of their full speed for well under two minutes.
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“My vision blurred, I couldn't catch my breath, or gather enough oxygen to stand upright for a while.”
In terms of the most technically difficult sport, surfing and pole vault got the votes.
Chief medical officer at Peaks Coaching Group, Dr Kevin Bernstein said: “Most of those that lack mental strength do not get this far solely with raw physical talent, regardless of sport.”
Topics: Olympics