Laurier expert alert: Beijing Olympics

Jan. 26, 2022
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The 2022 Olympic Winter Games will be held in Beijing from Feb. 4 to 20. Wilfrid Laurier University has several experts available to speak about topics related to the Olympics.

Kim Dawson, professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is an expert on sport psychology, performance and exercise adherence. She has worked with athletes of all types, including Olympic athletes, to prepare them for top performance under pressure. Contact: kdawson@wlu.ca or 519.807.6653

Tim Elcombe, associate professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education and fellow of the Balsillie School of International Affairs, is an expert on sport and culture, including sport ethics, development and politics. He recently wrote a column about the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics and concerns about the pandemic and China’s human rights violations. He is also available to speak about cheating and doping; sports and national identity; the use and abuse of technology in sport; and the intersection between sport, ethics, politics, and international affairs. Contact: telcombe@wlu.ca 

Mark Eys is a professor in the departments of Psychology and Kinesiology and Physical Education, the Laurier Research Chair in Group Dynamics and Physical Activity, and the supervisor of the Group Dynamics and Physical Activity Laboratory. He is an expert in sports psychology, group dynamics and team building. He is available for comment on group dynamics in sport and what makes teams function successfully. Contact: meys@wlu.ca

Jonathan Finn, professor of Communication Studies, researches the use of media technology in sport, with expertise in sports decision-aids and in self-tracking. He is available for comment on the use of timing and imaging equipment as used to make decisions in sport, such as athlete placing, ties, dead-heats and video replays; and the use of self-tracking hardware and software, such as Garmin, Apple Watch, FitBit and Strava, in sport and fitness. Contact: jfinn@wlu.ca

Jill Tracey, associate professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is an expert on sport psychology, psychological recovery from injury, mental skills and performance enhancement in sport, retirement/transition from sport, with particular interest in resilience, sport injury-related growth, and psychological readiness. She is also available for comment on concussions and other sport injuries. Contact: jtracey@wlu.ca 

Stephen Wenn, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is an expert on sport and commerce; Olympic history and scandals; and the financial and logistical challenges of hosting the Olympics. He is the co-author of Selling the Five Rings: the IOC and the Rise of Olympic Commercialism and the lead author of Tarnished Rings: The International Olympic Committee and the Salt Lake City Bid Scandal and The Gold in the Rings: The People and Events that Transformed the Olympic Games. Contact: swenn@wlu.ca