When you see an elite athlete competing at the Olympic games, you get a brief glance into their life.
What you don’t see are the years of dedication and commitment on the part of the athletes, the obstacles encountered and overcome and the support team that helps get them to the games.
Friday at noon, University of the Fraser Valley kinesiology professor Roger Friesen presents ‘The Road to Rio,’ a behind-the-scenes look at how athletes prepare for the Olympics.
Friesen will talk about his personal experience working with athletes as a sports psychologist, a journey that took him to the 2016 Summer Olympics.
He worked with Canada’s National Cycling team at the Rio games, celebrating with athletes that made it to the podium and consoling those who did not.
The presentation takes place at the Aboriginal Gathering Place (Room A1457), on UFV’s Chilliwack campus at the Canada Education Park.
Admission is free.
Friesen has been a sports psychology consultant for more than 20 years. He helped prepare Canada’s women’s basketball team in the lead-up to qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
See a previous Progress feature at theprogress.com/sports/387862742.html