Escapement mechanisms in mechanical clocks

I was fascinated by the simplicity and elegance of these mechanisms, yet it's not comprehensible at the first glance which adds to its charm. Illustrated above is the grasshopper escapement which was invented by British clockmaker John Harrison around 1722. Read more about that here.

Watching Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

it's very interesting to watch the competitors pushing the limits of our perception of human capabilities both physical and mental, as they strive for perfection and withstand termendous stress, being watched by millions of people worldwide, and also how they represent their nations, attempting to bring back as much glory as possible, and to be rewarded with medals and world records, with the national anthem playing in the background and the flag hanging above their heads.