Knowledge Nuggets

The Transcontinental Race is a 4,000km self-supported single stage race from Bulgaria to France – the clock never stops. Earlier this month, winner Fiona Kolbinger completed the course in 10 days, 2 hours and 48 minutes – almost 6 hours faster than the second place rider. Learn more about the rider and the race here.

Delegations from 33 countries will gather in one week for the opening ceremonies of the Parapan American Games. The Games, running from August 23 to September 1, will welcome more than 1,800 athletes competing in 17 sports. Watch SIRC’s daily News Hub and social media platforms for Games-related content! Visit the SIRC website to connect.

The “BodyCap” is an ingestible computer used to monitor athletes’ core temperatures. After tracking the athlete’s temperature during warm-up, pre-race cooling and competition, data can be downloaded via BlueTooth for analysis. The technology is being used to help athletes prepare for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, where extreme heat conditions are expected. Check out...

Cheering on athletes at the Pan American Games are support providers that have helped the athlete achieve at the highest levels of sport. These VIPs provide emotional, esteem, information and tangible support to reduce stressors and enable the athlete to focus on training and competition. Whether they are a coach, member of the athlete’s integrated...

Surfing debuts today at the 2019 Pan American Games, ahead of it’s Olympic debut in Tokyo. Events are scheduled for men and women in shortboard, longboard, and SUP surfing and racing. Catch the competition July 29th to August 4th. Click here to learn more about the Canadian surfers, including 16 year old phenom Mathea Olin.

Delegations from 41 countries will gather in one week for the opening ceremonies of the Pan American Games. The Games, running from July 26 to August 11, will welcome 6,900 athletes competing in 69 disciplines across 39 sports. Watch SIRC’s daily News Hub and social media platforms and daily News Hub for Games-related content! Visit...

During Wimbledon, 53,000 tennis balls will be used. According to International Tennis Federation rules, every ball is hand-tested for its bounce, weight and compression, stored at 68°F, and replaced during a match after the first seven games, then every nine games. Used balls are sold, with proceeds going to the Wimbledon Foundation. Click here for...

In an Olympic or Paralympic quadrennial, year three is often considered the most important – and with the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo on the horizon, 2019 promises “sizzling” performances across Canada’s summer sports. According to sports journalist Lori Ewing, “2019 marks a chance for athletes to gauge their performances against the best...

The Women’s World Cup has amazed, inspired and delighted us…while also providing a platform for players to draw attention to persisting inequities in the sport. Today’s SIRC blog provides an overview of some of the key issues raised by the players, and provides recommendations for influencing positive change in sport, whether you’re committed to achieving...

Evidence suggests that a number of preconditions are necessary to achieve at the highest levels of sport, including a family culture of striving and achievement, positive sport-related experiences during early development, late sport specialization, and an ability to “push yourself to the maximum” in competition and practice. But what differentiates elite athletes (those that compete...