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Unfairness of Certain Events in the Olympic Games

Br Med J 1968; 4 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.4.5623.111 (Published 12 October 1968) Cite this as: Br Med J 1968;4:111
  1. T. Khosla

    Abstract

    Boxing, weight-lifting, wrestling, and judo are graded events in that opponents are matched by weight. If protection were to be denied by removing this restriction such sports would overwhelmingly favour the heavyweights. Data on Olympic winners show that many running and jumping events are seriously biased in favour of the very tall. It is suggested that the rules of these events should be revised to include a grading by height. This would remedy an element of unfairness in many athletic contests, beginning at school.

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