Two World Records in Zurich: Alison dos Santos and Masai Russell / Femke Bol's Fascinating 800m Transition / Cycling We Haven’t Seen for Ten Years in The Vuelta

Two World Records in Zurich: Alison dos Santos and Masai Russell / Femke Bol's Fascinating 800m Transition / Cycling We Haven’t Seen for Ten Years in The Vuelta

Author: Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch September 2, 2026 Duration: 1:19:31

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Show notes


  • (00:06:29) Alison dos Santos takes Karsten Warholm's 400m hurdles world record with 45.80s, catching Warholm by the fourth hurdle. We get into stride patterns, why Edwin Moses ran 13 strides and Kevin Young 12, which leg leads on the bend, and how shoes may have interacted with fatigue to drive hurdles forward more than sprinting.
  • (00:15:59) Masai Russell's 12.09 is the first 100m hurdles world record set without a following wind since 1986. She was anticipated as the next WR holder, and she delivered, with the promise of faster and an 11.xx on the horizon.
  • (00:24:35) Femke Broders-Bol takes the 800m out from the front against Audrey Werro, and why the tactic was right for her even though it suited Werro perfectly.
  • (00:34:57) Bol revealed her LT and long run paces, to much amazement. But her coach Laurent Meuwly explained this in detail, and sets us up for a fascinating discussion on Bol's transition and ceiling. We talk about her statement that her endurance is "so bad for 800", why her 400m speed matters far more, and tee up our upcoming Applied show where we will dissect her coach's explanations to Citius Mag
  • (00:27:23) Karsten Warholm on a chaotic calendar, with our thoughts
  • (00:43:23) The Vuelta without Tadej Pogačar, where tactical mistakes carry a cost again, and cycling as we haven't seen for a decade. Plus, Tom Pidcock's mountain bike win.
  • (00:52:11) Novak Djokovic's US Open exit, and a physio who refused to treat Terence Atmane's cramp. Is cramp an injury, or a conditioning problem?
  • (00:58:22) Aaron Donald returns to the NFL at 35, and how much conditioning an athlete loses.
  • (01:02:54) Yomif Kejelcha's 56:51 half marathon, and who breaks two hours this autumn? Ross reckons two might do it.
  • (01:09:16) Jeff Browning's heart attack at UTMB, and Jenny Simpson's collapse. Fitness is protective, but it isn't immunity, with David Epstein's terrific article
  • (01:13:35) South Africa against New Zealand, and racing robots in China, where our advice is to stop short of a wall.



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Ever wondered what actually happens inside an athlete's body during a marathon, or whether the latest training trend is backed by evidence? The Real Science of Sport Podcast cuts through the noise with a unique blend of academic rigor and frontline reporting. Professor Ross Tucker, a world-renowned sports scientist, and veteran journalist Mike Finch form an engaging partnership, dissecting everything from athletics and rugby to soccer and cycling. Each episode feels like a deep, insightful conversation where complex research is translated into understandable takeaways, myths are debunked, and heated controversies are examined from all angles. You’ll hear them analyze the latest studies, extract practical lessons from professional athletes and coaches, and speak directly with leading global experts in exclusive interviews. This isn't just sports talk; it's a thoughtful exploration of the mechanisms, psychology, and culture behind performance and competition. For anyone with a curious mind and a passion for sport, this podcast offers a consistently fascinating look at the real stories behind the headlines and the physiology beneath the jersey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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