University of Saskatchewan experts available to comment on Rio Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics will begin on August 5, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the following University of Saskatchewan experts are available to comment on topics ranging from Olympic athletes, advertising and the threat of terrorist attacks:
Anti-doping and the use of supplements
Phil Chilibeck, professor, College of Kinesiology (available after Aug. 7)
Chilibeck can talk about the use of supplements and whether or not these supplements been scientifically proven or examined to improve performance.
Athletes, athletic performance, sport psychology
Jason Weber, co-ordinator of the Human Performance Center, College of Kinesiology
Weber can comment on Olympic athlete training, development and performance. He has co-ordinated, designed and implemented off-season high-performance training for professional athletes and is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist.
Olympic experience and sports psychology
Kent Kowalski, associate professor, College of Kinesiology (available after Aug. 7)
Kowalski can comment on the psychological aspects of performance and what it takes mentally to be an Olympic athlete, including:
- Coping with mental blocks
- Maintaining focus and preparation
- Getting past a poor performance
Risk of the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses
Dr. Andrew Potter, the CEO of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre.
Potter is an internationally known expert who can discuss transmission, prevention, mitigation and social response to outbreaks, the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
Security measures and terrorism
Colleen Bell, assistant professor, College of Arts and Science
Bell can comment on the general security measures leading up to and during the Olympics and why the terror threat is higher during most Olympics. Bell’s areas of research include war and security studies, terrorism and counterterrorism and western intervention.
Advertising and merchandising
David Williams, professor of marketing, Edwards School of Business
Williams can comment on advertising and promotion, international marketing, marketing management, how the games are managed and how sponsors leverage large-scale sporting events.
Nationalism and the Olympics
Daniel Béland, political sociologist, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
Béland can speak about the connection between nationalism and the Olympics and how governments use the power of the Olympics to create greater affinity to the country and/or sway public opinion on an issue.
Gymnastics training on a child’s growth and development
Adam Baxter-Jones, interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research
Baxter-Jones is a member of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Scientific Commission and can provide insight into the impact gymnastics training has on a child’s growth and development, and perspective on what it takes to compete at an Olympic level.
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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
jennifer.thoma@usask.ca