The Pursuit of Faster

To mark the completion of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, ‘The Pursuit of Faster’ data visualisation project explores the evolution of medal winning performances across all Olympic Games since 1896. It portrays the patterns of improvements in the results of time-based events whether it be on foot, in water or on water. There are several sporting events where relative speed determines medal success but this analysis is purely concerned with results from races where absolute speed is the measure of success.