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In this Spotlight, Gareth and Ross get philosophical as they cast their eyes over a few topics, starting with Gareth's thoughts on 2026 and our recent podcast where Sean Ingle joined us to look ahead at the sporting year. It's a sporting year that won't include Ross finishing the mountain bike race he planned to, and we talk briefly about goals, burn-out and knowing when to cut your losses!

Then we indulge a passion of the pod - talent ID. This after New Zealand's teen sensation Sam Ruthe broke another national record, this time in the 800m. But how often do these world class middle distance teens kick on and improve? The answer may be surprising, but it does reveal how fraught the talent prediction is, and we discuss whether talent is easier to spot in some sports than others?

Staying on the philosophical theme, Gareth's recent forays into the principles of fitness and his attempts to simplify fitness, have led to fascinating conversations with our Science of Sport Supporters about the potential role of Artificial Intelligence in coaching and performance. Will AI take over from coaches? Can you plan and execute an effective training programme using nothing but AI prompts? Do we need human coaches when the knowledge of the whole world is at our disposal? Who has successfully capitalized on the AI hype, and who has contributed to the growing pile of "AI slop" in the world of sport and sports science? We discuss.

And finally, one of our listeners and a three time guest, Dr Jamie Whitfield, is looking for participants in his latest research trial - if you're in and around Melbourne, here's your chance, details in the pod, links in the show notes!

01:50 Who Tires first? Attack or Defence

11:00 Ross makes his predictions - I will remember

15:34 Sam Ruthe & Talent ID

35:00 Ross & the MTB Race that never was plus heat and fatigue

54:20 AI and can it replace coaching?

01:11:20 Jamie Whitfield invites you to a study - If you live near Melbourne

Links

The Sam Ruthe Youtube video that got Gareth excited

DCRainmakers video on the awful Strava Workout feature

The 5KRunner article on the "Digital God of Fitness"

Sale Sharks plan to use AI, they just aren't quite sure why yet

Interested in the Melbourne study with Jamie Whitfield and Louise Burke?

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Join Mike, Ross and the chief sportswriter at The Guardian, Sean Ingle, as we look ahead to the biggest events in 2026. From the Winter Olympics to the World Cup in football, 2026 will be packed with plenty of drama and, no doubt, controversy. The team discusses the inclusion of new events at the Winter Games, how the three-country host format at the World Cup may affect results, whether the Commonwealth Games have a future beyond this year, and whether the Enhanced Games will live up to the hype. Plus, we talk about the biggest stories in track and field, cycling, swimming and golf and offer some predictions. It's the perfect way to start your sporting year.

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There's a lot to catch up on today's Spotlight. Four weeks of Festive season sport means a range of topics from technology failures in the Ashes to the "Battle of the Sexes" debacle, thoughts on cyclo-cross dominance and excitement, Biathlon's appeal, Luke Littler's darts revolution, and some Enhanced Games ruminations as more athletes are announced. We also tease a few 2026 sports events, and hope you'll join us throughout the year for sports science insights and discussions.

For the discussion that continues long after the podcast, become a member of the Real Science of Sport Supporters club by making a small monthly or annual donation and get access to our Discourse community

Links

• Article on the Kyrgios-Sabalenka reactions
• Luke Littler's moment and the growth of darts
• Technology fails England at the Ashes
• Gareth's fascinating exploration of the not-so-simple guide to fitness (Supporters Club Members access)
• Stuart Phillips' paper on resistance training - just do it, and don't get stuck on the details
• Michael Ashenden on the Enhanced Games - the source of our philosophical discussion on doping in the show
• The sad death of Sivert Guttorm Bakken of Norway
• USA-Canada relations are not looking good - this time thanks to a skeleton controversy

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