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Readers reply: How is it physically possible to continue breaking sporting records?

The Guardian UK Sunday 16 August 2026, 13:00 UTC 1 min read
Key Points

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsThis week’s question: Is it inevitable that consumerism will literally fill up the planet?Obviously, progressions in sports clothing technology must make a small difference to the abilities of an athlete – but how on earth is it physically possible that we continue to break world records, year on year? Are humans really...

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts

Obviously, progressions in sports clothing technology must make a small difference to the abilities of an athlete – but how on earth is it physically possible that we continue to break world records, year on year? Are humans really faster or stronger than they were decades ago? Jennifer Michaelson, Newlyn

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Jennifer Michaelson (PERSON) NewlynSend (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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