Out of ordinary: Cool Olympics

During the Beijing Olympic Games held in Beijing in August 2008, a number of athletes benefited from cooling technology. Concerned about the high temperatures usually encountered in Beijing in summer, several teams turned to cooling technology. The DS Kool cooling vest was developed specifically to keep athletes cool. Circulating water at normal air-conditioning temperatures draws heat from the body and the vests are cooled by placing them in an air-conditioned room. The vests are fitted with a temperature control valve and are worn before or after a race or during training to achieve an optimal body temperature. Former ice-gel cooling jackets tended to chill the skin and induce shock, leading to shivering, headaches and dizziness.