Snow leopard
In with a shot for the long jump gold of the animal world is the elegant snow leopard. With its long and powerful hind legs, this sturdy feline can launch itself over huge distances – 15m being the current recorded distance witnessed – while its muscular chest and enormous paws also make it a feisty climber Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Pronghorn antelope
The pronghorn antelope is an endurance athlete, with long, thin legs to drive it forward. It makes the most of every breath by taking larger lungfuls and processing the oxygen it draws from the air much faster than other animals Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Sailfish
Champion of the aquatic athletes, the streamlined sailfish hurtles towards a diverse range of prey, including needle fish and red squid, using its super-sharp bill to swipe at its victims. Sailfish sometimes venture as deep as 100m before zooming back to shallower depths in search of choice prey Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Dung beetle
The dung beetle can heave 1,141 times its own weight – equivalent to a human lifting six double-decker buses. These beetles use their powers for seduction – a male will lock horns with a rival to push him out of a female’s burrow Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Cuvier’s beaked whale
Unlikely to be found limbering up on the diving board, Cuvier’s beaked whales can nevertheless plunge nearly 3km beneath the waves to catch their prey. Their dives can take more than two hours for a round trip, but the whales only need to surface briefly to catch their breath in between Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Cheetah
Beating Usain Bolt off the blocks, the cheetah can tear along at 65mph. The explosive speed helps catch prey but it doesn’t last long: the sprint is usually no more than a few hundred metres Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Froghopper
Representing the insect world for the high jump, the froghopper could be in with a chance of a podium position. These brightly coloured creatures are able to jump more than 100 times their own height, although they prefer a catapult mechanism to the Fosbury Flop Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
Archer fish
In with a shot for a target sport medal is the archer fish. Able to shoot a powerful jet of water from its mouth, the fish can hit an insect lurking on a nearby plant from two metres away, knocking it into the water to be gobbled up Photograph: Laszlito for the Observer
