
The Olympics are also played in the cosmos …literally
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 29.07.24. | 15:26
Even the astronauts in space are simulating the Games
Being an astronaut is a fascinating occupation for many people. Being in space, way above the Earth and looking at our planet from a very different perspective is appealing to many, but not everyone can do it. And for the current astronauts, safely tucked 300 kilometres above planet Earth, the Olympics are the place to be. International Space Station (ISS) is a home for Americans Matt Dominick, Michael R. Barratt, Tracy C. Dyson and Jeanette Epps and Russians Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub and Alexander Grebenkin. The crew has been up there since April and are eager to watch the Olympics and even to participate.
Let the games begin!
— NASA (@NASA) July 26, 2024
Athletes from across the world are gathering today to kick off the 2024 #Olympics – pushing boundaries and inspiring generations. If you were an Olympic athlete, which sport would you play? pic.twitter.com/mnFC3vpvly
“Above Earth, in our orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station, NASA astronauts are getting into the Olympic spirit" NASA announced a few days ago. The video first shows several astronauts grabbing a fake plastic torch, imitating the famous Olympic flame. After a few warm-up movements carried out with the utmost seriousness, the scientists, aided by weightlessness, then try their hand at several emblematic Olympic events ranging from weightlifting to discus and shot put to breakdancing.
"These last few days, in the ISS, we had a lot of fun pretending to be Olympic athletes, with of course the advantages of weightlessness. We can't even imagine how difficult it must be to be a world-class athlete performing under gravity. From everyone on the space station and to every athlete competing in the Olympic Games, we wish you the best of luck!" concludes astronaut Matt Dominick.













