What the Olympics reveal about human evolution

The 2012 Olympic Games might be over, but we can never stop learning about the human body and how it has evolved over millions of years. The Games are a reminder of how far we have come as a species – you could think of them as a showcase of our greatest evolutionary traits. At Maropeng the Games were celebrated not only because they are a fascinating spectacle, but also because they reveal a great deal about human evolution.

The lighting of the Olympic flame marks the start of the tournament, but it is also symbolic of humans’ ability to control fire. Fire was being used by hominids at least 1-million years ago at Swartkrans in the Cradle of Humankind. Prior to this, flames would have been a terrifying sight to a hominid such as Australopithecus africanus.

While we admire the fitness and speed of the sprinters, long-distance runners and even the walkers, we might take for granted the human trait that separates us from other modern apes – bipedalism. Our ability to permanently walk upright on two legs evolved over millions of years. It allowed our hominid ancestors to free their arms completely, enabling them to stretch for fruit in trees and use their hands for social display and communication.

Having our arms free also allows for very technical skills to be developed. One can thus admire the accuracy of the archers and the skeet shooters. These athletes use modern tools for sport, but we shouldn’t forget that early tool use (such as the use of bone and stone tools) shaped the world of our hominid ancestors, giving them a vital advantage in the fight for survival.

What can be said about team sports such as soccer, water polo, hockey and handball? These sports test the athletes’ ability to work together, a feat that is only made possible by the evolution of language. Humans are unique because we can create new symbols and agree on their meaning.

Finally, the Olympic spirit is something that is encouraged throughout the tournament. As fierce as the rivalry is, as tough as the competition gets, and as heartbreaking or joyful as the results may be, the Games are meant to be a unifying force and a celebration. We are all part of the human race, and we share this planet. Sociability, or the desire to communicate and share experiences with others, is another characteristic that makes us human.

So don’t despair that the Olympics have disappeared for another four years. The marvels of human evolution are all around you. Just take a look in the mirror…