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Updated: July 29, 9:26 a.m. | Posted: July 28, 5:06 p.m.

See, the thing about the Summer Olympics is that 

. And that's a long-enough span of time for us to forget the things we thought we knew. ("Tell me again 

how they figure out the order of countries 

So as you sit on your couch cheering on sports you didn't 

, we're here to answer all those random questions that keep popping up in your brain.

 with the hashtag #NPRanswers. Keep doing that. We'll keep the answers short — like 50 words or less — so you can skim this list during those commercial breaks.

Curious how dressage horses are transported overseas. Obviously a plane, but like ... how? (from @corieorieo and @tterrag) 

Curious how dressage horses are transported overseas. Obviously a plane, but like ... how? 

Horses are loaded in two per stall. They fly with a staff of vets and groomers who, among other things, try to make sure they stay calm. Stallions travel at the front of the plane so that they're not distracted by the mares. And just like people, 

Why do divers immediately hit the shower as soon as they're out of the pool?

The pool is cold and can cause their muscles to cramp. The warm water of the shower helps keep the muscles loose. That's also why you're increasingly seeing divers sitting in a hot tub between dives.

They're called shammies, and they help the divers dry faster. Why do they need to dry faster? So they're not cold. Also, when you're wet, you're slippery. And you 

want to slip and lose your grip when you're doing, say, a knee tuck.

How are lanes assigned in Olympic swimming?

A swimmer ends up in a particular lane depending on their qualifying time. The fastest gets the center lane. Lanes 3 and 5 go to the next fastest. That, 

, is why you'll often find the gold-medal favorite in Lane 4. 

What's with the air horn that's blasted constantly during certain swimming events? (from @CaGirlInSF)

What's with the air horn that's blasted constantly during certain swimming events? 

of the Olympics. They're loud for a reason. They're there to signal to the swimmers that it's the final lap.

Why do swimmers slap themselves before a race?

It's a warmup technique. You slap yourself to get the blood flowing. It's fine. It's part of their pre-race ritual. (

 when your judo coach slaps you — even when you say it's 

To warm themselves up. Heat helps relax the muscles so they don't cramp. 

Why do we hear whistling throughout some swim events? (from @CAGirlinSF)

Why do we hear whistling throughout some swim events? 

The whistles are how coaches communicate with the swimmers. 

 did a really interesting piece about it, where the piece broke down the different kinds of whistles. Basically, the whistles signal to the swimmers "where they stand in the race and what to do."

Why do gymnasts rub that white powder on their hands before a routine?

, helps them keep a better grip on, say, the parallel bars and decreases the friction between the hands and the bars.

I thought the score to shoot for in gymnastics is the "perfect 10." I'm seeing scores like 15.400. Explain. 

I thought the score to shoot for in gymnastics is the "perfect 10." I'm seeing scores 

In the olden times, the maximum score was a 10. 

. Now, you're scored on difficulty (how hard the thing you're trying to do is) and execution (how well you did that hard thing). Your final score totals the two.

On the balance beam, gymnasts wear a slipper. Why on only one foot, though? (from @kurkoski) 

On the balance beam, gymnasts wear a slipper. Why on only one foot, though? 

Some gymnasts wear one, some two. Either way, 

 and helps them turn more efficiently on the balance beam or during floor exercises.

Why does everyone keep referring to these 2021 Games as "Tokyo 2020"? (from @c_bass69)

Why does everyone keep referring to these 2021 Games as "Tokyo 2020"? 

 last year. Part of the reason: money. "Torches, medals, other branding items and merchandise were already being made using the name 'Tokyo 2020,' and a name change would have meant additional costs," a Tokyo organizing committee source 

Why is Team USA wearing masks that make them look like Bane from Batman?

. The masks, made by Nike, aren't extra-protective or anything. They're mostly a fashion statement. The pleats are meant to evoke the folds of Japanese origami.

 with the hashtag #NPRanswers, and we'll get you an explanation. 

Sports

Olympics and Paralympics

Saeed Ahmed

Author

 you cared about during the Summer Olympics, we're here to answer all those random questions that keep popping up in your brain. 

As you cheer on sports you didn't think you cared about during the Summer Olympics, we're here to answer all those random questions that keep popping up in your brain. 


We answered extremely random questions people had about the Olympics

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