Could cycling socks have changed the outcome of the 100m final? An aero analysis of Olympics sprinting

Sunday was the Men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympic Games and it was decided on the shoulder dip to the line with 0.005s separating first and second. Immediately after the race, I got about 50 messages asking if aerodynamics could have played a role in the outcome of the race. Having been adjacently involved with some running projects over the years, I already thought the answer was probably yes. 

The Women’s 100m final was won by a good margin so there was less talk about the difference aerodynamics could have made, even if some athletes could have made better equipment choices.