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Dear Colleague,
It is my pleasure to advise that on December 12th, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Jacques Rogge,
announced that Professor Bengt Saltin, M.D., will receive the 2002 IOC Olympic Prize on Sport Sciences, the highest honor in
the field of movement, exercise and sport sciences (MES). Endowed by Pfizer, the $500,000 prize is officially presented to
Dr. Saltin at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City - along with an Olympic medal. The announcement notes Dr.
Saltin's outstanding contributions in exercise physiology, including his path-breaking research that proved the benefits
of physical activity in health recovery. His research explores the valuable question of "to exercise or not" in prevention
of and recovery from diseases.
"Dr. Saltin's work epitomizes what this award is all about - helping people live active lives," said Prince Alexandre de
Merode, Chairman, IOC Medical Commission. "The IOC Olympic Prize is a catalyst for scientific discoveries that will
benefit athletes and recreational enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Together, the IOC and Pfizer are committed to
improving research and sharing scientific knowledge in this field."
The impact of Dr. Saltin's research can be felt throughout society - in the medical field and in the everyday lives of
people, from the promotion of basic physical health to the enhancement of elite performance. Through research studying the
effects that inactivity has on the body, which was commissioned in part by NASA, Saltin confirmed that exercise, not bed
rest, should be a part of recovery after experiencing illness/injury. This marked a major shift in how patients were treated
following injury or illness.
"Years ago, it was thought that rest and relaxation were the best ways to recuperate from an injury or illness, but my research
proved that, in fact, it's the opposite," said Saltin. "People should work with their doctor to create an active recuperation
plan following any injury or illness, cardiovascular or athletic."
Dr. Saltin's findings also contributed to the concept that regular exercise is important for health and well-being. In addition,
his study of elite athletes while exercising and training has led to a better understanding of the importance of oxygen flow to
the muscles (as well as availability of nutrients) in exercise and overall health. He has used these findings to study other
areas such as anemia and the overall positive effects of exercise, focusing on the use of exercise to maintain and regain
health.
"Pfizer is committed to furthering scientific research that underscores the importance of exercise and physical activity in
cardiovascular and other disease treatment. This research is crucial to improving human movement, providing preventative
care, and better managing disease states for people who seek to live a healthy lifestyle," said Randall Kaye, MD, Director of
Olympic Affairs for Pfizer, Inc.
In addition to the $500,000 and an Olympic Medal, Saltin will receive a diploma of excellence for his contributions to
science. The Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City will mark the fourth time this coveted prize has been awarded.
The IOC Medical Commission and Pfizer believe the IOC Olympic Prize heightens the recognition for research of
movement and mobility, and thus attracts brilliant scientific minds to study and further human performance.
To ensure that the IOC Olympic Prize reflects scientific work of the highest degree, a Selection Committee composed of
worldwide renowned scientists and thought leaders evaluated peer nominations of candidates from multiple fields of science.
Rigorous criteria guide the selection of a scientist whose contributions to movement, exercise, and sport sciences have a
significant impact on science and/or society.
Although the IOC Olympic Prize on Sports Sciences is the main focus of the Pfizer/IOC Medical Commission partnership,
Pfizer also endows three other major IOC Medical Commission initiatives including: IOC Olympic World Congress on Sport
Sciences, IOC Olympic Academy on Sports Sciences, and Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research on Sport Sciences. For further
information about the IOC Olympic Programs visit www.olympic.org or www.pfizer.com.
Benno M. Nigg
Chair, IOC Prize Selection Committee
___________________________
Human Performance Laboratory
Faculty of Kinesiology
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4
Phone: (403) 220-3436
Fax: (403) 284-3553
Email: nigg@ucalgary.ca
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It is my pleasure to advise that on December 12th, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Jacques Rogge,
announced that Professor Bengt Saltin, M.D., will receive the 2002 IOC Olympic Prize on Sport Sciences, the highest honor in
the field of movement, exercise and sport sciences (MES). Endowed by Pfizer, the $500,000 prize is officially presented to
Dr. Saltin at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City - along with an Olympic medal. The announcement notes Dr.
Saltin's outstanding contributions in exercise physiology, including his path-breaking research that proved the benefits
of physical activity in health recovery. His research explores the valuable question of "to exercise or not" in prevention
of and recovery from diseases.
"Dr. Saltin's work epitomizes what this award is all about - helping people live active lives," said Prince Alexandre de
Merode, Chairman, IOC Medical Commission. "The IOC Olympic Prize is a catalyst for scientific discoveries that will
benefit athletes and recreational enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Together, the IOC and Pfizer are committed to
improving research and sharing scientific knowledge in this field."
The impact of Dr. Saltin's research can be felt throughout society - in the medical field and in the everyday lives of
people, from the promotion of basic physical health to the enhancement of elite performance. Through research studying the
effects that inactivity has on the body, which was commissioned in part by NASA, Saltin confirmed that exercise, not bed
rest, should be a part of recovery after experiencing illness/injury. This marked a major shift in how patients were treated
following injury or illness.
"Years ago, it was thought that rest and relaxation were the best ways to recuperate from an injury or illness, but my research
proved that, in fact, it's the opposite," said Saltin. "People should work with their doctor to create an active recuperation
plan following any injury or illness, cardiovascular or athletic."
Dr. Saltin's findings also contributed to the concept that regular exercise is important for health and well-being. In addition,
his study of elite athletes while exercising and training has led to a better understanding of the importance of oxygen flow to
the muscles (as well as availability of nutrients) in exercise and overall health. He has used these findings to study other
areas such as anemia and the overall positive effects of exercise, focusing on the use of exercise to maintain and regain
health.
"Pfizer is committed to furthering scientific research that underscores the importance of exercise and physical activity in
cardiovascular and other disease treatment. This research is crucial to improving human movement, providing preventative
care, and better managing disease states for people who seek to live a healthy lifestyle," said Randall Kaye, MD, Director of
Olympic Affairs for Pfizer, Inc.
In addition to the $500,000 and an Olympic Medal, Saltin will receive a diploma of excellence for his contributions to
science. The Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City will mark the fourth time this coveted prize has been awarded.
The IOC Medical Commission and Pfizer believe the IOC Olympic Prize heightens the recognition for research of
movement and mobility, and thus attracts brilliant scientific minds to study and further human performance.
To ensure that the IOC Olympic Prize reflects scientific work of the highest degree, a Selection Committee composed of
worldwide renowned scientists and thought leaders evaluated peer nominations of candidates from multiple fields of science.
Rigorous criteria guide the selection of a scientist whose contributions to movement, exercise, and sport sciences have a
significant impact on science and/or society.
Although the IOC Olympic Prize on Sports Sciences is the main focus of the Pfizer/IOC Medical Commission partnership,
Pfizer also endows three other major IOC Medical Commission initiatives including: IOC Olympic World Congress on Sport
Sciences, IOC Olympic Academy on Sports Sciences, and Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research on Sport Sciences. For further
information about the IOC Olympic Programs visit www.olympic.org or www.pfizer.com.
Benno M. Nigg
Chair, IOC Prize Selection Committee
___________________________
Human Performance Laboratory
Faculty of Kinesiology
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4
Phone: (403) 220-3436
Fax: (403) 284-3553
Email: nigg@ucalgary.ca
---------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe send SIGNOFF BIOMCH-L to LISTSERV@nic.surfnet.nl
For information and archives: http://isb.ri.ccf.org/biomch-l
---------------------------------------------------------------