Reportages - Animal Athletes (15) Images supplémentaires...
The Olympic games are an inspiring spectacle of talent, with the best athletes in the world setting benchmarks for human potential and physical endurance.

Whilst we may marvel at their prowess, they should feel lucky they don't have to compete with the champions of the animal kingdom, who perform physical feats of Olympic proportions every day in order to ensure their survival in the greatest game of all: the competition of life.

Who are the champions of the animal kingdom? Find out by downloading our full story PDF, including text, here.

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) running, Kenya (non-ex)
01244133
Andy Rouse / Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) running, Kenya (non-ex)
Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) surfing, jumping out of the sea, Falkland Islands
01234087
Andy Rouse / Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) surfing, jumping out of the sea, Falkland Islands
Emperor penguins diving {Aptenodytes forsteri} Antarctica. Emperor penguins are the bird diving champions and can acheive a depth of 500m. Humans can only descend 150m before the water pressure collap...
01083370
Doug Allan / Emperor penguins diving {Aptenodytes forsteri} Antarctica. Emperor penguins are the bird diving champions and can acheive a depth of 500m. Humans can only descend 150m before the water pressure collap...
African sharp-nosed frog {Rana mascareniensis}  jumping, underside view, controlled conditions, from Africa
01274655
Stephen Dalton / African sharp-nosed frog {Rana mascareniensis} jumping, underside view, controlled conditions, from Africa
Jumping spider (Plexippus paykulli) leaping onto fly prey, Crete
01288553
Stephen Dalton / Jumping spider (Plexippus paykulli) leaping onto fly prey, Crete
Meadow grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus) leaping, UK
01259784
Stephen Dalton / Meadow grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus) leaping, UK
Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) bounding, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, September
01354793
Dave Watts / Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) bounding, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, September
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) male jumping during rut. Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa.
01374871
Andy Rouse / Impala (Aepyceros melampus) male jumping during rut. Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa.
Cat flea {Ctenocephalides felis} leaping sequence, multiflash image
01276406
Stephen Dalton / Cat flea {Ctenocephalides felis} leaping sequence, multiflash image
Cat flea {Ctenocephalides felis} jumping from cat fur, UK
01276542
Stephen Dalton / Cat flea {Ctenocephalides felis} jumping from cat fur, UK
Black and red froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata) in mid-hop. England, UK
01288404
Stephen Dalton / Black and red froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata) in mid-hop. England, UK
Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) in mid leap, Karoo, South Africa, February
01415110
Ben Hall / Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) in mid leap, Karoo, South Africa, February