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Examining What Separates the Best Olympians From the Pack

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At the Olympics, big outcomes often hinge on tiny details. The angle of a climber’s knee. The timing of a gymnast’s midair flip. The position of a swimmer off the block. The takeoff mark of a hurdler.

To help readers understand the precise movements that can make the difference between a gold medal and no medal at all, a team of graphics editors created a series of interactive articles that break down the extraordinary techniques of four athletes competing in the Tokyo Summer Olympics.