Knowledge Nuggets

A country’s bid to host a major sporting event is often justified by its potential impact on sports participation for all citizens. While evidence to support the “trickle-down effect” is limited, new research from the United Kingdom shows an increase in memberships among adults in 33 sports after hosting major sport events, including the London...

“There will be no overseas spectators. There won’t be friends and family. We won’t have a Canada Olympic House in Tokyo.” David Shoemaker, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee, discussed COVID-19 countermeasures and how athlete health and safety is top priority for the Tokyo Summer Games at a Canadian Club luncheon. Read more in the...

A new study has shown that coaches of Olympic gold-medal swimmers are likely to be more agreeable, less narcissistic, and have a greater perception of emotion than many of their counterparts. It also found that traits like extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness have little impact on a coach’s success.

Karate is a traditional Japanese sport that originated on the island of Okinawa in the 17th century. It will be making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 with two types of events. Kata features solo demonstrations of offensive and defensive movements that are judged, and Kumite is a sparring event in which athletes are awarded...

Canadian track cyclist Georgia Simmerling is the first, and only, Canadian to compete in three different sports at three different Olympic Games: alpine skiing (Vancouver 2010), ski-cross (Sochi 2014) and track cycling (Rio 2016). After claiming bronze in the women’s cycling team pursuit in Rio, Simmerling will take to the track once again in Tokyo.

Can the Olympic and Paralympic Games influence the sport participation of youth in the host communities? Research suggests that participation impacts may be most likely among youth populations, active and inspired spectators, and within communities that are home to event venues and medalists.

Although Olympic athletes are known for their meticulous pre-competition routines, many aspects of competition are out of their control. For example, research shows that Olympic swimmers have 0.32% improved performance when they race in the evening compared to in the morning—showing that time of day could be enough to make or break a podium performance.

“As athletes, we’re being taken more seriously and senior leaders are asking for our opinions – not because they feel they have to check a box, but because they believe we have something important to bring to the table.” – Seyi Smith, Chair of the COC’s Athletes’ Commission and two-time Olympian, reflects on the rise...

Fourteen-year-old Toronto-based swimmer Summer McIntosh is Canada’s youngest Olympian in Tokyo. In June, the Grade 9 student won the 200m freestyle at the Canadian Olympic Trials, beating out 2016 Olympic champion Penny Oleksiak. Make sure to watch this rising star and the rest of Canada’s Olympic swim team in action until August 1 in Tokyo!

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games officially open today and continue through Sunday, August 8. With 370 athletes and 131 coaches attending, this is the largest contingent of Canadian athletes at an Olympic Games since Los Angeles 1984.