The Science of Superstitions

Have you ever noticed that your teammate beside you always puts their left skate on before their right and always wears different colour stockings? Have you ever wondered why your teammate ties each of their cleats three times or must shoot at the net exactly 7 times during warm up? The answer to the whys of these questions is a matter of superstition. You’ll notice that most everyone has routines that they go through before competition and whether these are comfort behaviours, rituals or superstitions, it all stems from personal research you have been conducting your whole life. Each one of us has unconsciously performed studies of cause and effect that have been stored in our brains for reference as to what “works” and what doesn’t when it comes to success on the athletic field. Our brains have millions of these cause and effect relationships that we use on a daily basis to guide our behaviour. Our brains work through all these scenarios in order to predict what the next best course of action is. However, sometimes we get what we may consider a short-wire and the brain connects two things that may have no actual relationship to each other … and come up with what many term a superstition. Does wearing the same shirt at each race really make us play better? Does being the last player out of the dressing room really mean we’ll win? It can’t be proven, but if it gives us confidence to perform better that’s an advantage. Just don’t get so caught up in rituals and superstitions that they create nerves and pressure, put the emphasis on using them in a positive way to improve your performance.

For more information on the relationship between rituals, superstitions and your brain contact SIRC.

Reference:Silverstor, Trevor (2009) Superstition. Ultra-FIT 19(7), October 2009, p.30-32.

Words from Whistler

Canada Wins Gold in Skeleton

The atmosphere is electric at Whistler as Jon Montgomery wins gold today in skeleton. Canadians are celebrating throughout the village, flags are waving and the mood is one of pride and excitement.

In fact, all day family, friends and visitors exude a positive energy as they embrace the Olympic spirit. People everywhere are wearing their Canadian apparel and talking about the Olympics. Families boarding the plane in Ottawa wear their Canadian sweaters, passengers from Calgary are pumped about attending the Canada hockey games and amateur photographers on the bus traveling to Whistler are scrambling to take photos of the venues and magnificent west coast scenery. National pride is shining brightly.

Walking through town you feel a common bond with strangers just because they are wearing Canada proudly on their sleeves. Earlier this week, while skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, I felt the same kindred spirit with fellow skaters sporting the easily recognized "red mitts". The Olympics have given Canadians something to talk about, to unite around and to celebrate together. So let's enjoy the moment, appreciate the national passion stirring within us and keep cheering "Go Canada Go".

Keep watching for more "Words from Whistler" as our very own Debra Gassewitz, President and CEO, spends the next week at Whistler. You can find Debra at Canada House, Whistler.

Words from Whistler

Canada House Rocks
Whistler Canada Olympic House was rocking today as it was open to the public in the morning for a pancake breakfast and in the evening everyone was celebrating the Gold medal ceremony for Jon Montgomery.

The pancake breakfast with maple syrup may have been an initial draw to check out the beautiful Canada House (also known as the Whistler Public Library centrally located right in Village), but the jam packed venue full with entertainment for the kids and a chance to mingle with the athletes was brimming with excitement. Naturally the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were present in the scarlet red surge and the majestic horses from the musical ride welcomed visitors to the home. Whistler Canada Olympic House has be designed to provide a meeting place for Canadian athletes, their families, guests and dignitaries. It showcases the beauty of both BC and Whistler with its unique and truly Canadian architecture.

Speaking about truly Canadian, the entire Village as well as COH rocked in the evening with the medal ceremony for Jon Montgomery, Canada's gold medalist in skeleton. As Jon jumped up on the top of the podium the cheers were heard in every corner of the town. And when the Canadian flag was raised high into the air, the chorus of O Canada was heard loud and clear both outside and inside COH. After the ceremony everyone returned to COH, including Jon's very proud parents and exuberant friends and family. Volunteers waved an enormous flag to greet our Olympian and Steve Podborski shared his heart felt words of wisdom. What I will remember is his smile, the sparkle in the eyes and the love for life shown by both Jon and his parents. To quote Jon's father "we taught Jon that when he starts something he should finish it. Today he definitely finished it".

Keep watching for more "Words from Whistler" as Debra Gassewitz, President & CEO, SIRC, continues her stay at Whistler. You can find Debra at Whistler Canada Olympic House.

Words from Whistler

Ski Cross was Wild

Today was the Olympic debut for Ski Cross and it was wild. Ski cross seems to be described as a cross between motorcross, roller derby and skiing. While the Canadian skiers had tremendous support as the hometown boys, it was great to see so many different countries participating and clearly demonstrating the sport has a global appeal. Errol Kerr, the friendly giant wearing green and yellow from Jamaica was a crowd favorite. Not only did he have his family in attendance to support him but two of the original Jamaican Bobsled members, who had participated in the Calgary Olympics of 1988, were on hand to cheer him on.


What made the event more entertaining were the descriptions of the skiers, or should I say cast of characters. Some of the skiers were described as having other hobbies such as BMX, football, anger management and bowling. Couple the hobbies with physical attributes that ranged up to 6’4” and 230 lbs and you have men who are going to fight for their space on the track. The blood shed and colossal collisions were reminiscent of warriors fighting for a space on the podium. The battle continued right into the final where Canada’s Chris Del Bosco looked like he would capture bronze until on the final jump, with the crowd cheering wildly, he flew like an eagle but turned sideways and landed in a faceplant. While the crowd was disappointed Canada did not bring home a medal, the entertainment value was 5/5. I look forward to watching the Women’s Ski Cross on Tuesday.



Keep watching for more "Words from Whistler" as Debra Gassewitz, President & CEO, SIRC, continues her stay at Whistler. You can find Debra at Whistler Canada Olympic House.

Words from Whistler

Mascot Mania

It was another gorgeous day in Whistler, the sun was shining and everyone seemed happy to sit back and soak up some rays of sunshine. Even the hundreds of shoppers lined up at 9am outside the Olympic store waiting for a chance to buy Olympic souvenirs appeared in great spirits today.

What made today particularly cheerful was the prevalence of the Olympic mascots, Quatchi, Sumi and Miga and their appeal to both children and adults. Quatchi is a young sasquatch who comes from the forests of Canada and dreams of becoming a famous hockey goalie. Miga is a young sea bear who lives in the ocean off Vancouver Island and enjoys surfing, snowboarding and anything fun and exciting. Sumi is an animal spirit who lives in the mountains of British Columbia and loves to play numerous sports. The mascots were in the Village as well as at Cypress Mountain, and there seemed to be line ups of children and adults wanting to sit and have their photos taken with them. At Canada Olympic House water based tattoos with the mascots were the hot take-away as children pondered which character they wanted to wear. Teens and young adults were applying the tattoos on their necks and faces, and even asking for assistance to ensure the images were applied vibrantly. The mascots have succeeded in bringing out the child in all of us.

Keep watching for more "Words from Whistler" as Debra Gassewitz, President & CEO, SIRC, continues her stay at Whistler. You can find Debra at Whistler Canada Olympic House

Words from Whistler

Dancing their Way to Gold

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir made history yesterday at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics when they became the youngest and first North Americans to win the Olympic gold medal in Ice Dancing. Their performance was breath taking, their chemistry was undeniable and the result was what they and every Canadian had dreamed it could be. Olympic Gold for Canada!

Ice Dancing is a sport that requires two people to skate as one. The pair must cover the entire ice surface with speed and grace, and invoke within the viewer an emotion that pulls you into the story being told through music and choreography. The intricacy of the footwork, lifts and spins is all the more powerful when it feels as if the couple is floating across the ice. You should not be distracted from the emotional flow of the program by thinking “that move looked difficult.” Virtue and Moir told a beautiful story to Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony and judging from the tears streaming down the cheeks of the people watching their program here in Whistler, I would say everyone felt the passion and certainly shared their joy.

This is a story with a fairy tale ending. They believed in themselves, they believed they could win and Canada believes in Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Congratulations!

Keep watching for more "Words from Whistler" as Debra Gassewitz, President & CEO, SIRC, continues her stay at Whistler. You can find Debra at Whistler Canada Olympic House.

What are coaches reading?

According to a recent issue of Olympic Coach, a lot! And you would be surprised at some of the titles. Oh there are the usual suspects – Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training, Athletic Development: The Art and Science of Functional Sports Training , and Running – Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology Applied in Practice

But then there are some unusual titles. Books such as Mindset by Carol Dweck, with chapters on everything from “self-insight” to “what is success”; The Tao of Leadership: Lau Tzu’s Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age which teaches its readers how to be the very best kind of leader: be faithful, trust the process, pay attention, and inspire others to become their own leaders; and, Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software a book about the mystery of why the whole is sometimes smarter than the sum of its parts. Team dynamics and leadership qualities in a coach are areas where this book may prove helpful.

So what are you reading? Here are a few of the popular titles at the SIRC Toronto Regional Library:

• Speed for Sports Performance
• Exercise Technique Manual for Resistance Training
• What it takes to be #1: Vince Lombardi on Leadership
• The Sponsorship Seeker’s Toolkit

Reference:
Five for the Road, Olympic Coach. Spring 2009. 21(2). P. 6-7.