Knowledge Nuggets

SIRC’s new Sport Insight series examines how rule changes, technology and advances in training and technique are evolving the sport landscape. In the first piece from the series, learn more about curling’s Free Guard Zone rule.

Athletes learn to hide effort and pain in the pursuit of performances that are strong, flawless, and seemingly effortless. But off the field of play, we need to create a culture where athletes struggling with injury, whether physical or mental, can ask for help. This SIRC blog provides insights and tips for athletes, support team...

In these days of doping scandals, athletes can find themselves wondering about the other athletes lining up beside them. Canadian weightlifter Christine Girard, awarded medals from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in December 2018, advises athletes to stay true to their values, work hard, and trust in the system. Learn more about her journey...

What started as a practice drill between two brothers, grew into the rule that transformed the sport of curling. Learn more about the Free Guard Zone rule in today’s SIRC Blog.

This week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear a scheduled five-day appeal in the case of two-time Olympic 800m champion Castor Semenya. Semenya is appealing a ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that will impose limits on testosterone levels for female athletes with differences of sexual development. The case...

While social media can have many positive uses for athletes, from interacting with fans to providing value for sponsors, engagement can also pose risks to performance. In today’s blog, Olympic curler Lisa Weagle provides insight into the steps she and her teammates used leading up to Pyeongchang to control the impact of social media on...

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day – a national initiative to promote awareness and action by fighting stigma associated with mental health issues, improving access to care, supporting world-class research, and providing leadership on workplace mental health. In today’s SIRC blog, Audrey Lacroix from Game Plan talks about the mental health challenges faced by high...

On December 3, 2018, Canadian weightlifter Christine Girard received a gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics and a bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, following the disqualification of athletes convicted of doping violations. Learn more about her journey and commitment to clean sport in the SIRCuit.

The Winter SIRCuit is now available! This edition is issue-packed, providing evidence-based and experience-informed insight through a variety of timely and topical articles: Increase your commitment to improving sport in Canada through an article on values-based sport. Contemplate the role of policy and practice in maintaining hazing culture, supporting the inclusion of transgendered athletes, and...

Freestyle Skiing is the combination of speed, showmanship, and the execution of aerial movements whilst skiing. Canadian athletes have a long history of success in Freestyle Skiing on the international stage. It is just 1 of 21 sports to be featured at the 2019 Canada Winter Games hosted in Red Deer, Alberta. The games begin...