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Let the games begin

The physics of a ski jumping scandal, and the tale of India鈥檚 lone luger.

The Winter Olympics has the Unexpected Elements team looking into some of the incredible science behind the sports. First up, the tale of India鈥檚 lone luge pilot: how did using old train tracks as sled runners give him a competitive edge? Then, we look at the physics behind a cheating scandal that has rocked the ski jumping world. Scientific studies tell us exactly how much difference changing a single stitch in a costume can make.

Did you know there are different types of ice? Professor Christoph Salzmann has discovered three of them, and tells us what makes them unique. Plus dinosaurs, disease, and whether we laugh with an accent. All on this week鈥檚 Unexpected Elements.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Tristan Ahtone
Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, with Lucy Davies, Imy Harper and Tim Dodd

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51 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 Feb 2026 20:06GMT

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  • Fri 6 Feb 2026 10:06GMT
  • Sat 7 Feb 2026 00:06GMT
  • Sat 7 Feb 2026 04:06GMT
  • Sat 7 Feb 2026 15:06GMT
  • Sun 8 Feb 2026 20:06GMT

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