Health Update: Straight sprinting

BLIND sprinters may soon be able to run straight in their lanes without help, thanks to an aid invented by a schoolboy from Gloucestershire. James Smith, who recently completed his A-levels, has developed a heart device that tells blind athletes when they veer from their lanes. Strapped to the runner's chest, it triggers electronic signals to a set of headphones worn by the runner. The sprinter hears a beep in the right ear if they veer to the left and vice versa, says a report in New Scientist.

At present blind sprinters have to be guided by coaches who call instructions from the trackside. Because of the danger of collisions they usually run alone against the clock.