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If animals competed at the Olympics: who would win?

Imagine a world where the Olympic Games are not just for humans. With the Paris Games approaching, it's interesting to think about what animals would shine if they were allowed to compete. This article explores how different animals can perform in different Olympic events.

Athletic people would dominate

Many Olympic events require skills that humans excel at, such as hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking. For example, it will be difficult for animals to master such racket sports as badminton. Similarly, team sports such as soccer require coordination that most animals lack.

Where people lose

Running: Cheetahs, the fastest land animals, would leave humans far behind in short-distance sprints. However, at longer distances such as marathons, people may have a chance because of our endurance.

Swimming. Although humans are good swimmers, animals such as pappu penguins and seals excel in freestyle competitions. Frogs can compete in breaststroke, but their ability to withstand chlorine will be questionable.

Jumping: Kangaroos and impalas would dominate the long and high jumps. Rock wallabies, known for their impressive jumping abilities, may also be prime contenders.

Rock climbing and weightlifting

Climbing: Arboreal species such as orangutans and mountain goats are likely to outperform humans in climbing. However, Olympic climbing competitions, which require ropes, can still benefit people.

Weightlifting: Humans would be outclassed by animals such as African bush elephants and even smaller creatures such as beetles that can lift weights many times their own weight.

Events of subjective judgment

In competitions judged on artistic merit, such as diving and gymnastics, humans would probably dominate because animals could not be judged by human criteria.

Indeterminate competition

Some sports, like wrestling, pose interesting questions. Stronger animals such as chimpanzees may have an advantage, but whether they will be able to follow the rules is unknown.

While humans would win many Olympic events, there are a few where animals would clearly outperform us. Examining these hypothetical competitions highlights the incredible abilities of the animal world and adds a fun twist to our understanding of athleticism. 

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