Concussion Blog – Ringette

For ringette, putting a values lens on the issue of concussions made decision-making simpler – preventing concussions as much as possible and ensuring athletes recover properly are priorities. When pressure to return to play comes from athletes not wanting to miss out, or parents pushing to have their child back on the ice, clear protocols…

Choking Under Pressure

Facing elimination, do teams elevate their performance or stumble under the pressure? A study of NBA games from 33 seasons revealed that most teams “choked”. Findings suggest coaches should refrain from deliberate building of high-pressure environments with hopes of achieving performance enhancement effect among their teams.

Mental Health – Emily Overholt

In today’s video, Olympic medallist Emily Overholt, who recently received the Harry Jerome Award as Sport BC Comeback Athlete of the Year, shared the incredible story of her battle with depression over the past few years.

Winning bias and uniform colour

Does the colour of your uniform bias your chances of winning? In judo, a white judogi has been commonly considered a disadvantage because it was thought to be more visible, allowing athletes in blue to better evaluate and anticipate the movement of their (white) opponent. However, research now suggests that a winning bias is attributed…

Sport Insight: Curling

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.

Athlete Mental Health

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…

Anti-doping Blog

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…

Free Guard Zone

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.

Sport Insight: The rule change that revolutionized curling

SIRC’s Sport Insight series features blogs and articles that examine innovation and evolution in the sport landscape. It started as a practice drill between two brothers and grew into the rule that transformed the sport of curling: the Free Guard Zone rule. Russ Howard, one of the best skips in Canadian curling history, is credited…

Appeal to CAS

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…