We like to think that we have evolved as a species to become more athletic over the centuries, and while it seems like humans have gotten faster, better and stronger, it might surprise people to learn that Jesse Owens, who won the 100m dash at the 1936 Olympics, would have finished within one stride of Usain Bolt if he'd been running today with Bolt's advantages of surface, equipment and initial propulsion. David Epstein is the author of The Sports Gene and has worked as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. He joins the show to look at whether today's athletes are really all that much better.
Usain Bolt wins 200m gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
