And the winner is ... !

The city of PyeongChang, Korea was awarded the opportunity of hosting the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games this week over Munich Germany, and Annecy, France. Needing 48 votes from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members for the victory, PyeongChang received 63 of the 95 votes cast in the first round of voting (Munich received 25 and Annecy seven.) It was the first time an Olympic bid race with more than two finalists was decided in the first round since 1995, when Salt Lake City defeated three other bid candidates to win the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

This was PyeongChang’s third consecutive bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, having lost narrowly to Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014) previously. It will be the first Winter Games in South Korea, and the nation’s second Olympics after having hosted the 1988 Olympic Games in the capital city of Seoul. PyeongChang will be the first city in Asia, outside Japan, to ever host the Olympic Winter Games. Japan twice hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972 (Sapporo) and again in 1998 (Nagano).

Just 180km east of Seoul and in the Taebaek Mountains, PyeongChang, campaigned on the theme of "New Horizons," and how that it deserved to win on a third try. And win they did! There is no doubt that PyeongChang will become the new world class travel destination for winter sports.

The 2018 Olympic Winter Games will be held from 9 through to 24 February 2018.

For more information on the Olympic Games, please visit SIRC.

Olympism is a state of mind

"Olympism is not a system, it is a state of mind. It can permeate a wide variety of modes of expression and no single race or era can claim to have the monopoly of it." Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern day Olympics.

James Worrall (CANADA). A 1936 Olympian.  A flag bearer for his country.  A hurdler. A lawyer. A president of the Canadian Olympic Committee. A member of the International Olympic Committee. A friend. An author.A mentor. A member of the Order of Canada. A Hall of Famer.

And if "Olympism" is a philosophy of life, this was most definitely James Worrall's philosophy. One who combined a balance between quality of life, mind and soul, and had respect for universal ethical principles. One who combined sport with education and culture.

An Olympian in the truest sense of the word. 

The oldest living Canadian Olympian, James Worrall, O.C., B.Sc., LL.B., Q.C. passed away this week at the age of 97.

We honour him.

Once an Olympian, always an Olympian.

 Career Highlights:

• 1934 British Empire Games (Commonwealth Games), 120-yard hurdles, silver medalist
• 1936 Olympic Games, 110mH & 400mH
• Assistant Chef de Mission, Team Canada (1948 & 1952 Olympic Games)
• Canadian Olympic Association (COA), President (1964–1968); Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Honorary Life President (1989)
• Amateur Athletic Union of Canada, President (1951-1953)
• National Advisory Council on Fitness and Amateur Sport (1963-1967)
• International Olympic Committee (IOC), Member (1967-1989), Executive Board Member (1974-1979), Honorary Member (1989-2011)
• Order of Canada (1976)
• Canada Sports Hall of Fame (1987)
• Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1991)

Canadian Athletes Continue to Lead by Example

When you pull in a cool couple million dollars plus per year in salary and sponsorship, like many professional athletes do, it’s relatively easy to share the wealth. But despite the fact that many of Canada’s high performance amateur athletes live well below the poverty line for most of their athletic careers, they continue to lead by example and give back. Time is as valuable as money. The presence of an Olympian at an event can most certainly create excitement and encourage others to give more of their time and hopefully even their money to a worthy cause.

For example, in a few days time, a group of approximately 40 national team and Olympic athletes will be donating their time and fund-raising efforts to the United Way of Canada, by taking part in the Enbridge CN Tower Climb in downtown Toronto. Joining 2008 Olympic high jumper and 2010 Commonwealth Games champion Nicole Forrester on the 1776 grueling steps to the top will be Olympic champion kayaker Adam van Koeverden, Olympic silver medalist bobsledder Shelley-Ann Brown, and Paralympic cross-country skier Tyler Mosher, to name just a few.

Another charity that benefits significantly from an Olympic presence are the Ronald McDonald House’s across the country, who are often visited by World figure skating champion Patrick Chan, Olympic champion hockey player Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Olympic silver medalist diver Alexandre Despatie.

Canadian-based Right to Play is an international humanitarian organization that utilizes athletes to serve as global ambassadors who go into some of the most disadvantaged regions of the planet to improve health, foster peace for children and develop life skills through sport and play programs.

These are just a few shining examples of how Canadian athletes continue to lead by example, in so many facets of life.

For more information on sports related charities, please visit SIRC.

SIRC Gets in the SPIN of Things

The 2011 SPIN (SPort INnovation) Summit is in its second day at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Canada’s greatest minds in sport science have come together for a conference focusing on premier applied sport science, sport medicine and research that services the high performance sport community.  Themes this year include bullet proofing the 2012 Olympic Games plan (London), solidifying the 2014 Olympic Winter Games strategy (Sochi) and other hot topics on research and innovation.

Amongst those sharing their knowledge are experts from the Canadian Sport Centre system, Own the Podium (OTP) and health care practitioners who focus on optimizing athlete’s health. Opening the conference were presentations in athlete planning where Dr. David Smith, Director of Sport Science from the Canadian Sport Centre – Calgary, talked about “Preparing for the Podium” and how successful podium performance at the Olympic Games requires a foundation of reliable World Cup or World Championships performance in the years prior to the Olympic Games. He was followed by Rowing Canada’s Peter Cookson and Terry Paul who gave examples on how appropriate and necessary changes in their preparations have led to success with the rowing team.

SIRC is joined by a select group of exhibitors at the SPIN Summit, including:

• Fusion Sport
• Normatec
• Sports Tec
• Sports Physiotherapy Canada
• Coaches of Canada
• Crim
• Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada

The Summit, which closes on Thursday evening, will highlight best practices in performance on demand from competitive experiences at Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For more information on sport science, please contact SIRC.

Olympic Legacy: Inspiration for 2012

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London have made a promise to reach out the world’s youth in an effort to connect them to the inspirational power of the Olympics, hence they have developed the “International Inspiration” program. This legacy programme, a promise made by the 2012 Olympic Games bid team, is already changing the lives of less fortunate kids in underdeveloped countries. Inspiring them to choose sport gives them the chance to see that they have a right to play and fulfil their potential by participating in local sporting events with their peers, and in turn they will become leaders, positive role models and offer much inspiration.  With a plan to steer youth away from risky behaviours and towards healthy choices and inclusion, this popular program has already produced significant achievements with 19 countries (and counting) to date:

• 12 million young people have actively participated in physical education, play and sport - many for the first time in their lives
• Approximately 79,000 teachers, coaches and young leaders have been trained to lead sport, physical education and play in their schools and communities, learning new skills
• 21 policies, strategies or legislative changes have been implemented or influenced

International Inspiration, with their unique approach, works with policy makers, sporting practitioners as well as with the youth themselves. By doing so, there are changes being made in the way that countries are promoting the role of sport in the community and the school curriculum. Some of the countries already benefitting from this program are Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey and Zambia.

This important project, in cooperation with the London Olympic Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) is supported by a unique partnership of organizations including UK Sport, UNICEF and the British Council. It will continue to focus on ensuring the program is sustainable and will leave a lasting legacy in these countries after its final year in 2014.

Contact SIRC for more information on sport for development.

Beyond the Finish Line: A Walk Through the Mixed Zone

Photo courtesy
Polakoff Communications

Once an athlete gets to a certain level, there become many more obligations and expectations of them beyond their performance on the field of play. Walking through the Media Mixed Zone at a major sporting competition is just one of those responsibilities. The Mixed Zone is designed to permit the broadcast and print media to “mix” with athletes for the purpose of an interview in a designated area. Athletes are not obligated to stop for interviews and you can imagine how tough it is if an athlete just had the worst performance ever. But lots still do.

This  dedicated and secured zone is in an area just beyond the field of play that athletes must physically pass through when they are finished competing. They don’t even collect their clothing first. This unique opportunity allows the media and ultimately the viewers to have a window to that raw emotion and immediate thoughts of the athlete.

Some key points to a successful Media Mixed Zone experience for the athlete:

• Limit interviews to one minute or less so that as many broadcast and print media as possible have the opportunity.
• Be positive, pleasant, insightful and gracious despite the stressful circumstances.
• Act like a professional.
• Give the viewer a reason to care about how you do.

Photo courtesy
Polakoff Communications

It does seem a bit strange to have an athlete perform to physical and mental exhaustion, then ask them to sound eloquent just seconds after for an interview broadcast live around the world. Most well rested and prepared people have difficulty doing this. But this might be the one chance that the public has to hear from an athlete. It’s the 30 second sound bite that will create a post card image of what the athlete is all about. If they act classy, then people will think they are classy. And vice-versa!

Just because the finish line is crossed does not mean that the elite athlete’s job is done. It is important for an athlete to also prepare and train for the moments immediately following their performance.

Online Resource:
IIHF Media Guidelines & Access Policy

For more information on athlete interviews, please visit SIRC.

Patrick Chan

En 2014, à Sotchi, Patrick Chan participera à ses deuxièmes Jeux Olympiques d’hiver en tant que favori pour remporter l’or pour le Canada. Il vient tout juste de terminer, pour la septième fois, au premier rang des championnats de patinage canadiens, et étant triple champion du monde, il visera non pas une, mais deux médailles olympiques, à la suite de l’ajout d’une toute nouvelle épreuve de patinage artistique en équipe aux Jeux de Sotchi. En novembre dernier, à la compétition Trophée Éric Bompard du Grand Prix de l’ISU, Patrick a battu un record en recevant une note finale de 295.27.

Renseignements personnels 

Date de naissance : 31 décembre 1990
Lieu de naissance : Ottawa (Ontario)
Résidence : Toronto (Ontario)
Taille/poids : 173 cm/67 kg
Club : Granite Club
Entraîneuse : Kathy Johnson
Twitter: @Pchiddy
Site Web : http://www.patrickchan.ca
COC : http://olympique.ca/team-canada/patrick-chan/
Patinage Canada : http://www.skatecanada.ca/Profile/tabid/3998/strregid/1358573/strcategory/single/strbiocategory/Senior%20Men/strlanguage/E/language/fr-CA/Default.aspx 
ISU : http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007980.htm

Patrick Chan

Patrick Chan will be headed to his second Olympic Winter Games in Sochi 2014 as a front runner to bring home gold for Canada. Fresh off his seventh first place finish at the Canadian Skating Championships, and as three-time reigning world champion Chan will be in pursuit of not one, but two Olympic medals with the introduction of the new team figure skating event that will debut in Sochi. Back in November at the ISU Grand Prix Trophee Bompard Patrick had a record setting finish with a final score of 295.27

General Information

Date of Birth: December 31, 1990
Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario
Residence: Toronto, Ontario
Height/Weight: 173cm/67kg
Club: Granite Club
Coach: Kathy Johnson
Twitter: @Pchiddy
Website: http://www.patrickchan.ca
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/patrick-chan/
Skate Canada: http://www.skatecanada.ca/Profile/tabid/3998/language/en-US/Default.aspx?strregid=1358573&strcategory=single&strbiocategory=Senior%20Men&strlanguage=E
ISU: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007980.htm

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir

Affirmer que Tessa Virtue et Scott Moir sont des aspirants à une médaille aux Jeux Olympiques d’hiver de 2014 à Sotchi serait une sous-évaluation. Ces deux athlètes ont remporté le championnat national canadien à six reprises, ont reçu deux médailles d’or mondiales en patinage artistique, ont obtenu la toute première note de 10.0 en danse lors d’une compétition internationale en 2009, et ont été le premier et le plus jeune couple nord-américain à remporter l’or en danse sur glace lors des Jeux Olympiques d’hiver de 2010 à Vancouver. Tessa et Scott sont manifestement des athlètes qu’on ne peut ignorer, eux qui tenteront de remporter à nouveau la médaille d’or, à Sotchi.

Renseignements personnels

Date de naissance : 17 mai 1989 / 2 septembre 1987
Lieu de naissance : London (Ontario)
Résidence : London (Ontario) / Ilderton (Ontario)
Taille : 165 cm / 172 cm
Club : Ilderton SC
Entraîneurs : Marina Zoueva et Johnny Johns
Site Web : http://www.virtuemoir.com
COC : http://olympique.ca/team-canada/tessa-virtue/
http://olympique.ca/team-canada/scott-moir/
Patinage Canada: http://www.skatecanada.ca/Profile/tabid/3998/strregid/2743723/strcategory/dance/strbiocategory/Senior%20Dance/strlanguage/E/language/fr-CA/Default.aspx
ISU : http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00006989.htm

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir

Saying Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are medal contenders for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games would be a bit of an understatement. Virtue and Moir are six-time Canadian National Champions; have two World Figure Skating golds; in 2009 received the first 10.0 awarded in dance in international competition; and were the youngest and first North American pair to win gold in ice dance at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The pair are clearly a force to be reckoned with as they look to repeat their gold medal performance in Sochi.

General Information

Date of Birth: May 17, 1989/ September 2, 1987
Birthplace: London, Ontario
Residence: London, Ontario/ Ilderton, Ontario
Height: 165cm/ 172cm Club: Ilderton SC
Coach: Marina Zoueva, Johnny Johns
Website: http://www.virtuemoir.com
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/tessa-virtuehttp://olympic.ca/team-canada/scott-moir
Skate Canada: http://www.skatecanada.ca/Profile/tabid/3998/language/en-US/Default.aspx?strregid=2743723&strcategory=dance&strbiocategory=Senior%20Dance&strlanguage=E
ISU: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00006989.htm

Alex Gough

Alex Gough et l'équipe de luge canadienne tenteront de créer des surprises au Jeux Olympiques d'hiver de 2014. En 2011, Alex a mis fin à une série de 105 victoires des Allemandes, devenant la première lugeuse canadienne à remporter une épreuve de la Coupe du monde. À mesure que les Jeux approchent, Alex ne fait que prendre de la vitesse. Elle a remporté l'argent à l'épreuve de relais par équipe féminin et à l'épreuve individuelle féminin de la Coupe du monde, à Altenberg (Allemagne), et il lui reste encore un événement de la Coupe du monde avant l'ouverture officielle des Jeux. Même si le Canada n'a jamais gagné de médaille olympique à la luge, Alex est déterminée à mettre un terme à cela.

Date de naissance : 12 mai 1987
Lieu de naissance : Calgary (Alberta)
Résidence : Calgary (Alberta)
Taille/poids : 171 cm/73 kg
Entraîneurs : Wolfgang Staudinger et Bernhard Glass
Twitter: @AlexGoughLuge
Site Web : www.alexgough.com
COC : http://olympique.ca/team-canada/alex-gough/
Association canadienne de luge : http://www.luge.ca/fr/team/?id=15
FIL : http://www.fil-luge.org/index.php?id=443&L=&p_id=100585

Alex Gough

Alex Gough and the Canadian Luge team are looking to shake things up at the XXII Olympic Winter Games. Back in 2011 Alex ended a 105-race winning streak by Germany when she was the first Canadian luger to win a World Cup race. As the Games approach Gough is only gaining speed, claiming silver in both the team relay and women’s singles at a World Cup in Altenberg, Germany, and still has one more World Cup event before the Games officially open. Canada has never won an Olympic medal in Luge however Alex is well on her way to putting that to an end.

General Information:

Date of Birth: May 12, 1987
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Height/Weight: 171cm/73kg
Coach: Wolfgang Staudinger, Bernhard Glass
Twitter: @AlexGoughLuge
Website: www.alexgough.com
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/alex-gough/
Canadian Luge Association: http://www.luge.ca/en/team/?id=15
FIL: http://www.fil-luge.org/index.php?id=443&L=&p_id=100585 

Mark McMorris

Mark McMorris n'a pas grandi au paradis de la planche à neige – Regina est loin d'être reconnue pour ses montagnes. Malgré son lieu de résidence, Mark a connu du succès très jeune, gagnant la première Coupe du monde de slopestyle à laquelle il a participé, à l'âge de 16 ans. Depuis, il continue de dominer le sport en présentant de bons résultats aux compétitions des Winter X Games et de la FIS. Mark participera aux Olympiques de 2014, alors que les épreuves de slopestyle seront tenues pour la toute première fois.

Date de naissance : 9 décembre 1993
Lieu de naissance : Regina (Saskatchewan)
Résidence : Regina (Saskatchewan)
Taille/poids : 180 cm/72 kg
Twitter : @markmcmorris
Site Web : http://www.markmcmorris.com/
COC : http://olympique.ca/team-canada/mark-mcmorris/
FCS : http://www.canadasnowboard.ca/fr/team/?id=152
FIS : http://www.fis-ski.com/snowboard/freestyle-snowboard/athletes/athlete=mcmorris-mark-132958/

Mark McMorris

Mark McMorris did not grow up in a snowboarding hot bed, Regina is not known for its mountains. Despite his location Mark found great success at an early age when he won the first slopestyle World Cup he entered when he was only 16. Since then he has continued to dominate the sport performing well at both the Winter X Games and at FIS competitions. Mark McMorris will be competing in the 2014 Olympics as slopestyle makes its debut.

General Information

Date of Birth: December 9, 1993
Birthplace: Regina, Saskatchewan
Residence: Regina, Saskatchewan
 Height/Weight: 180 cm/ 72 kg
Twitter: @markmcmorris
Website: http://www.markmcmorris.com/
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/mark-mcmorris/
CSF: http://www.canadasnowboard.ca/en/team/?id=152
FIS: http://www.fis-ski.com/snowboard/freestyle-snowboard/athletes/athlete=mcmorris-mark-132958/

Kaillie Humphries

En ayant Kaillie Humphries à la tête de sa formation, l'équipe de bobsleigh féminine canadienne a assurément de bonnes chances de savourer une victoire olympique. Après avoir remporté l'or à Vancouver en 2010, Kaillie n'a pas chômé, décrochant des médailles d'or consécutives lors des saisons 2011-2012 et 2012-2013. À Sotchi, Kaillie fera de nouveau équipe avec sa partenaire, la médaillée d'or Heather Moyse, et ensemble, elles tenteront d'étendre leur domination et de récolter la victoire encore une fois pour le Canada.

Renseignements généraux

Date de naissance : 4 septembre 1985
Lieu de naissance : Calgary (Alberta)
Résidence : Calgary (Alberta)
Taille/poids : 170 cm/ 77 kg
Entraîneur : Tom De La Hunty
Twitter : @Bobsledkaillie
 Site Web : http://www.bobteamhumphries.com
COC : http://olympique.ca/team-canada/kaillie-humphries/
BCS : http://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/en-CA/files/Kaillie%20Humphries_fr.pdf
FIBT : http://www.fibt.com/bobsleigh/athletes.html?tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bsport%5D=B&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bcountry%5D=CAN&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bathl_id%5D=130282

Kaillie Humphries

With Kaillie Humphries at the wheel Olympic success is definitely in the cards for the Canadian women’s bobsled team. Since winning gold in Vancouver 2010, Humphries has been taking the bobsleigh circuit by storm winning consecutive gold medals during her 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons. In Sochi, Kaillie will be competing once again with golden teammate Heather Moyse, with the duo looking to dominate and claim victory once again for Team Canada.

General Information

Date of Birth: September 4, 1985
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Height/Weight: 170 cm/ 77 kg
Coach: Tom De La Hunty
Twitter: @Bobsledkaillie
Website: http://www.bobteamhumphries.com
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/kaillie-humphries/
BCS: http://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/en-CA/files/Kaillie%20Humphries_fr.pdf
FIBT: http://www.fibt.com/bobsleigh/athletes.html?tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bsport%5D=B&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bcountry%5D=CAN&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bathl_id%5D=130282

Tristan Walker

Tristan Walker along with doubles partner Justin Snith and the rest of the Canadian luge team are looking to make history at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi by bringing home Canada’s first Olympic medal in luge. At Vancouver 2010 Walker and Snith, both 18-years-old, were the youngest competitors in their field. No longer green, Walker has grown in his sport over the last four years and as recently as January 2014, won silver for the team relay of the World Cup race in Altenberg, Germany.

General Information:

Date of Birth: May 16, 1991
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Height/Weight: 185cm/80kg
Coach: Wolfgang Staudinger, Bernhard Glass
Twitter: @TristanLuge
Website: http://www.walker-snith.com
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/tristan-walker/
Canadian Luge Association: http://www.luge.ca/en/team/?id=31
FIL: http://www.fil-luge.org/index.php?id=443&L=&p_id=100882

Sarah Reid

Sarah Reid ne passera pas inaperçue lorsqu'elle fera ses débuts olympiques sur les pentes de Sotchi. Bien que sa performance sur la piste nous en mettra plein la vue, c'est son casque inspiré du thème du « jour des morts » qui a retenu l'attention durant les jours menant aux Jeux. Après 11 ans d'entraînement à la danse, Sarah a changé de discipline et s'est consacrée au skeleton, sport dans lequel les athlètes débordent d'adrénaline. L'an dernier, elle a monté rapidement au classement du skeleton, récoltant le bronze à la Coupe du monde. Sarah poursuivra sa lancée en visant un podium olympique pour l'Équipe Canada.  

Renseignements généraux:

Date de naissance : 2 juin 1987
Lieu de naissance : Calgary (Alberta)
Résidence : Calgary (Alberta)
Taille/poids : 158 cm/ 56 kg
Entraîneur : Duff Gibson
Twitter : @Skelly_Rider
COC : http://olympique.ca/team-canada/sarah-reid/
BCS : http://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/en-CA/files/Reid_2013_fr.pdf
FIBT : http://www.fibt.com/skeleton/athletes.html?tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bsport%5D=S&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bcountry%5D=CAN&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bathl_id%5D=130357

Sarah Reid

Sarah Reid will be hard to miss when she makes her Olympic debut at the Sochi sliding centre. While her performance on the track will no doubt impress, leading up to the Games it has been her ‘day of the dead’ inspired helmet that’s been stealing the show. It was after 11 years of dance training that Reid switched over to the adrenaline fueled sport of skeleton. Last season she rose quickly through the ranks of skeleton to finish with World Cup bronze. Sarah looks to keep this momentum going by sliding her way onto the Olympic podium for Team Canada.

General Information:

Date of Birth: June 2, 1987
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Height/Weight: 158 cm/ 56 kg
Coach: Duff Gibson
Twitter: @Skelly_Rider
COC: http://olympic.ca/team-canada/sarah-reid/
BCS: http://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/en-CA/files/Reid_2013_fr.pdf
FIBT: http://www.fibt.com/skeleton/athletes.html?tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bsport%5D=S&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bcountry%5D=CAN&tx_pxathletes_pi1%5Bathl_id%5D=130357

Need For Speed

by Leigh Cove
Algonquin College Sport Business Management Intern

Ask Canadian luger Alex Gough what drew her to the sport and you will probably get an answer along the lines of, “I wanted to go fast.” Actually, ask the question to any of Canada’s 28 sliding athletes and odds are good you will get the same response.

Even with a track specifically designed to accelerate athletes to speeds of 135km/h, and curve patterns where sliders can experience up to five G-forces, the desire of these daredevil athletes is to go fast and keep going faster.

Winter sliding sports (bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge) are all similar in their basics concepts. Each begins with an athlete(s) and their sled at a starting gate, with much of a sliders final time being determined by the speed of their starting push off. Once they trigger the clock and leave the starting zone sliders seemingly let gravity takeover as they hurtle toward the bottom.

Within the first 250m sliders are already reaching speeds of 80km/h, and their time is recorded after athletes cross the finishing sensor. Both slider(s) and their sled must cross the finishing line for their time to count, but the slider doesn’t necessarily have to be in the sled.

Despite what it may seem like, sliders do have control over their sleds. Steering these sleds takes incredible strength and control. When traveling at such high speeds it only takes the slightest movements to get a dramatic change that can mean a gold medal run, or a bone jarring crash.

Balance of Speed and Control:

BOBSLEIGH -The sled has brakes attached to its back runners manned by a brakeman and a steering mechanism of ropes connected to pivoting front runners controlled by a pilot. Newer bobsleds are being designed using Formula One racing technology to increase aerodynamics and cut down on crucial seconds.

SKELETON- Skeleton sleds do not have breaks! Sliders steer by twisting their body in the bow of the sled. The sleds used in skeleton are heavier than their luge counterparts to enhance sliding; the difference can be up to 20 kg.

LUGE - Run times for competitors are so fast and close they are measured to the thousandths of a second. Lugers use their shoulders to help stabilize the sled, while they use their legs to steer the runners, changing how they grip the ice.

Those athletes who choose to compete in bobsleigh, luge, or skeleton run a fine line between maintaining control and losing it every time they launch themselves down an icy track. However athletes continue to slide down again and again because greater than risks, is their need for speed.

References available from SIRC collection: 

1. Berton E, Favier D, Agnès A, Pous F. Aerodynamic Optimization of a Bobsleigh Configuration. International Journal Of Applied Sports Sciences. June 2004;16(1):1-13. 
2. Bullock N, Gulbin J, Martin D, Ross A, Holland T, Marino F. Talent identification and deliberate programming in skeleton: Ice novice to Winter Olympian in 14 months. Journal Of Sports Sciences. February 15, 2009;27(4):397-404. 
3. Lars E. Sports injuries and illnesses during the Winter Olympic Games 2010. British Journal Of Sports Medicine. September 2010;44(11):772-780. 
4. Lembert S, Schachner O, Raschner C. Development of a measurement and feedback training tool for the arm strokes of high-performance luge athletes. Journal Of Sports Sciences. December 2011;29(15):1593-1601. 
5. Platzer H, Raschner C, Patterson C. Performance-determining physiological factors in the luge start. Journal Of Sports Sciences. February 2009;27(3):221-226. 
6. Seiler S. Same Citius,Altius, Fortius ... More Women, Crashes, and McTwists?. International Journal Of Sports Physiology & Performance. January 2014;9(1):122-127.