Going for gold

As the targets whizz past at breathtaking speed, the hidden laser detection system logs, identifies and reports on its quarry. The battlefield under surveillance is not in Iraq or Afghanistan but the Manchester Velodrome. And the targets in question are pursuit cyclists, whose training is being tracked by a system derived from military technology.

With all eyes on Beijing, British Olympians and their coaches are already preparing for a record medal haul when London plays host to the games in 2012. While the athletes are sweating it out on track and field, an equally dedicated team of engineers is working behind the scenes to refine equipment, optimise training and squeeze out the miniscule improvements in performance that can spell the difference between gold and silver.

In its search for excellence, UK Sport, the governing body that directs the development of British sport, is enlisting the know-how of a diverse range of companies and academics whose fields of expertise would not immediately come to mind when considering enhancing sporting performance.