Carbon Fiber Sports Equipment in the 2024 Paris Olympics

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Sure enough, the 2024 Paris Olympics was a thrilling showcase of athletic talent, with athletes from all over the world performing at their very best. However, from the performative point of view, a different star of the show was also the state-of-the-art technology and high-grade sports equipment that were on display. Athletes' Olympic sports gear typically has to adhere to strict specifications. These standards entail durability and aesthetic merit. Carbon fiber is one of the most important materials that is causing a stir in the sports industry. Its amazing strength and lightness made it a material that is very popular in most of the gear involved in sports, covering everything from bicycles to pole vaulting. This material was crucial in many sports at the just concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, helping athletes push their limits. From prepreg carbon fiber tubes to carbon fiber rods and carbon fiber sheets, the sports equipment that contained carbon fiber changed the play of thousands of Olympians. Through this blog, we shall find out various ways carbon fiber was used in sports equipment during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Carbon Fiber in Track and Field

Track and field events at the Paris Olympics saw some remarkable performances, thanks in part to carbon fiber technology.

The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan set a women’s Olympic record by completing 42 kilometres undulating marathon course in 2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds wearing Nike’s new Alphafly 3. The Alphafly 3 employs lightweight polyether block amide (PEBA) foam in a 40-mm-thick sole plus a carbon fiber composite plate.

Additionally, US athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, set a new world record in Paris for the women's 400-meter hurdles at 50.37 seconds, presumably shod in FuelCell SuperComp MDX v3 spike shoes from her sponsor New Balance. The New Balance shoe employs PEBA foam from Arkema in the midsole that returns significantly more energy through its higher springiness. This lightweight, energy-returning foam was combined with a carbon fibre composite plate for stiffness and stability.

In pole vaulting, the application of prepreg carbon fibre tubes and Carbon fibre rods in manufacturing poles has become very common. Such poles are not only light in weight but also very strong and flexible. Louisiana's Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, who competes for Sweden, set the world record for the eighth time at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Washington Post reports that Duplantis's pole is made of carbon fiber and fiberglass layers that have been heat-cured and glued with epoxy around a dowel. This allowed the athlete to achieve greater heights with more stability, contributing to record-breaking performances.

Furthermore, materials used for the javelin have gone from traditional wood to advanced materials like carbon fiber. Carbon fiber rods are used in javelins, helping athletes throw further with precision and power. The lightweight and durable nature of carbon fiber makes these tools ideal for achieving maximum distance without compromising on strength. Just before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem confirmed that he now has six advanced carbon-fibre javelins which will aid his preparation for the elusive event. At the Olympics, Nadeem won a sensational gold in the men's javelin throw at the Stade de France, breaking the Olympic Record with his superb throw of 92.97m.

Carbon Fiber in Cycling

Cycling is a sport where every second counts and using carbon fiber was a major factor in helping cyclists achieve faster times and better control.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Japanese team bicycle called Bridgestone bike (V-IZU TCM2) was made in collaboration with the carbon fiber company Toray. Major parts of the bike, such as the frame and seat stays, had components made of carbon fiber. This resulted in a considerable reduction in the weight of the bikes through carbon fiber sheets and carbon fiber tubes, hence allowing cyclists to accelerate with much ease and quickly climb hills. Its strength gave an assurance that the bicycles would withstand high speeds and rough terrain without performance loss due to stress.

Carbon Fiber in Water Sports

In water sports, such as rowing and canoeing, carbon fiber’s resistance to water damage and lightweight properties makes it a top choice for equipment at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Cobra International presented the iQFOiL windsurf board at the JEC World 2024 composites exhibition in Paris ahead of the Olympics. The 220cm x 95cm board has a PVC, glass and carbon fibre sandwich construction that is vacuum moulded over an EPS foam core.

Athletes using rowing oars and canoe paddles made from prepreg carbon fiber tubes found that they could row faster with less effort. The stiffness and lightness of carbon fiber meant more energy was transferred into the water, resulting in stronger, more powerful strokes.

Carbon Fiber in Other Sports Equipment

Modern hockey sticks—products made from carbon fiber rods and carbon fiber sheets—gave players a lighter, stronger, and more durable stick. This provided for harder shots and easier handling to gain an edge on the field.

Another exciting application was wearable technology for athletes, where carbon fibre-reinforced smart wearables like performance-tracking sensors and injury prevention devices were worn in and around the body to monitor and enhance athlete performance in real-time. In archery, high-tech materials including carbon fiber and aluminium were used for making compound bows. Each bow was regularly tested and inspected, as it is severely subjected to the rigours of every shot.

Conclusion

The 2024 Paris Olympics proved, to a certain degree, that much more can be done to human potential and even more so with technology. Carbon fiber, with its powerful attributes, did play a huge role in helping these athletes step further. Carbon fiber equipment on track, water, and other team sports played a pivotal role in most of the electrifying performances witnessed. Looking ahead at future competitions, carbon fiber will continue to be part of the sports world by helping athletes move beyond possible boundaries.