SPORT

TODAY'S ELITE ATHLETES ARE BIGGER, TALLER - STUDY

Monday, July 20, 2009

The world's greatest athletes aren't just getting faster - they are also gaining in height, scientists say.

Today's record-breaking sprinters are now six inches taller than their Edwardian counterparts, while the best swimmers have gained four inches in the last 100 years.

BOLT . was once considered 'too tall' for sprinting

In contrast, the average adult has grown just two inches in height since 1900.

Scientists say height gives sportsmen such an advantage that the world's swimming and athletics bodies may soon have to introduce boxing-style weight classes.

The ever growing size of elite athletes was highlighted last year when Usain Bolt - the 6ft 5in-tall Jamaican - became the fastest man in the world, winning gold in the 100 and 200 metres sprint at the Beijing Olympics.

Bolt is such a towering figure, he was once considered "too tall" for sprinting.