[originaltext] If winning is everything, British scientists have some advice

If winning is everything, British scientists have some advice: wear red. They studied four sports at the 2004 Olympic Games and found that sportsmen were more likely to win their contests if they wore red uniforms.
    "Across a range of sports, we find that wearing red is always related to a higher probability of winning," report scientists.
    Red color is connected with aggression in many animals. Just think of the red color on the face of the male African monkey. Likewise, it’s the female spider that is poisonous and has a frightening red dot on her body.
    Similarly, the color’s effect may also threat opponents in athletic contests, especially when the athletes are equal in skill and strength, the researchers suggest.
    In their survey, the scientists analyzed the results of some sports programs at the summer games: boxing, tae kwon do, and wrestling.
    In those events, the athletes worn red protective sportswear and other colors at random.
    Athletes wearing red won more often in 16 of 21 rounds of competition in all events.
    The red effect also might come into play in team sports.
    The scientists made an analysis of the Euro 2004 international soccer contest, in which teams wore uniforms of different colors. They found that five teams scored more goals and won more often when they wore shirts that were mainly red, as opposed to blue or white clothes.
    Scientists don’t exactly known how wearing red might give athletes an advantage. But the color passes messages of vigor and danger. It’s also a reason why people’s faces turn red when they are angry.