Olympic Runners Reveal the Surprising Reason They Ditch Their Shoes After Races

WASHINGTON — Following Olympic track and field events, it’s common to see athletes immediately removing their shoes. But what drives these world-class competitors to untie their footwear so quickly?

The answer is comfort. Olympic runners’ shoes prioritize speed over comfort, often resulting in discomfort during or after competing.

One Reddit user summed it up aptly: “They’re supposed to be uncomfortable. When you finish a race, the first thing you do is loosen your spikes and celebrate.”

Track spikes are specialized shoes designed for traction on a sprinting track. Resembling a cross between soccer cleats and tennis shoes, they feature small metal pins at the bottom to enhance grip on the synthetic rubber track.

The pins enable athletes to push off with extra force but can be quite uncomfortable on less forgiving surfaces like concrete or asphalt. The tight fit necessary for optimal performance can also cause discomfort over longer distances.

For regular shoes, you need a thumb’s width of space between your toes and the shoe’s front. With track spikes, the gap is minimal, leading to potential irritation or soreness during extended wear.

Another risk is being “spiked,” a phenomenon where runners are injured by the spikes of the competitors ahead as they follow closely behind.

The design of track spikes, from shoe shape to the number of metal pins, is meticulously tested. As explained on GazelleSports.com, the number of spikes can impact performance, especially around curves. Races with more turns require fewer spikes to facilitate better pivoting, crucial when victory is determined by mere milliseconds.