Astronauts on the International Space Station held their own Olympic Games, with a weightless twist.
As the world’s best athletes battled it out for glory down on Earth in Tokyo, the space explorers put their lack of gravity to hilarious use in a series of disciplines.
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet shared videos of the lighthearted competition online Friday.
There was the lack-of-floor routine event:
Space #Olympics 1/4:
— Thomas Pesquet (@Thom_astro) August 6, 2021
Lack-of-floor routine – much 👏 to Pyotr for completing his routine without touching anything, a difficult feat!
🥇
Gym hors-sol – on ne dirait pas comme ça, mais les immobilisations en plein vol de Piotr requièrent une grande expérience#MissionAlpha pic.twitter.com/gXAHSHHmcu
No-handball, where astronauts had to blow pingpong balls through hatches:
Space #Olympics 2/4:
— Thomas Pesquet (@Thom_astro) August 6, 2021
No-handball – we had to adapt the rules a bit during the match, much investment on both sides for the win.
🏐
Handball sans les mains – les règles ont dû être adaptées au cours d’un match que nous décrirons sobrement comme intense. pic.twitter.com/dVOv3GRThD
Synchronized space swimming:
Space #Olympics 3/4:
— Thomas Pesquet (@Thom_astro) August 6, 2021
Synchronised space swimming – an opportunity to show teamwork and crew cohesion.
🤝
Flottation synchronisée – l’occasion de démontrer une des plus importantes compétences un astronaute : l’esprit d’équipe #MissionAlpha pic.twitter.com/Ljo65AkzNQ
And weightless sharpshooting:
Space #Olympics 4/4:
— Thomas Pesquet (@Thom_astro) August 6, 2021
Weightless sharpshooting – concentration and skill (or luck) proved necessary to reach the target.
🎯
Tir sans gravité – concentration et persévérance ont dicté cette épreuve pour bien négocier la trajectoire des élastiques#MissionAlpha pic.twitter.com/eV2cSxEWQ5
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