Page 43 - (DK) I Can’t Believe It! 2

STRANGE BUT TRUE! 41

GAMES WITH ALTITUDE

It is now
possible to get In 2007 FIFA (soccer’s governing body)
married on the banned international soccer matches at high
Burj Al Arab altitude. Playing at more than 8,200 ft
helipad—at (2,500 m) above sea level can be damaging
vast expense. to health. The thinner air gives an advantage
to players used to such conditions. This field
in Switzerland is at 6,560 ft (2,000 m).

FAST FACTS
The diameter of the helipad
is just 79 ft (24 m).
Donut
rings

An average Formula One
car is 15 ft (4.5 m) long.
The Burj Al Arab helipad has
also been home to other sports
stunts. Formula One driver David
The luxurious Burj Al Arab stands 1,053 ft (321 m) Coulthard performed donuts in
tall on a specially built island. Both players had the a race car in 2013—no easy
advantage when they saw the views of Dubai from feat in such a small space—and
the hotel’s helipad, 692 ft (211 m) up. They smashed golfers Rory McIlroy and Tiger
a few balls over the edge into the sea, but no one Woods have teed off from there.
was eager to go retrieve them!

US_040_041_309600_Unbeatable_match.indd 41 19/12/17 12:55 pm