Last Saturday 100 Olympic-hopefuls traveled to the Richmond Oval for the 1st of four talent ID events hosted across the country, the RBC Training Grounds. Athletes completed 11 tests of physical and mental strength over the 6 hour day and competed not against one another, but against the performance standards set by various national sports bodies. Athletes who achieved standards will be contacted by these national bodies to participate in learn-to-compete events in the sports of rowing, cycling, bobsled and many more. The winner on the day, the athlete who achieved the most performance standards, won a trip to visit the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Cycling BC’s Ben Chaddock attended the event and helped coach the final test of the day, the arm-leg bike test.
The test provided the biggest challenge of the day. A bicycle with arm paddles, the arm-leg bike provided athletes the opportunity to display full-body strength, muscular endurance and mental fortitude. Each test varied from 4-10 minute long and as a measure of total power, the bigger athletes often pushed further into the test. Each athlete had their own style and frame of mind, it was very enlightening to see such a wide variety of approaches over the course of the day. It was a fun place to be, at least for us coaches!
Instagram Posts here
A video posted by Shelby-Jai (@forloveoftherun) on
So hardcore.. and the coaches were so supportive. #rbctrainingground
A video posted by Richelle Scott (@richellescott) on
The third testing station – STRENGTH @cbc.sports @csipacific #RBCTrainingGround
A video posted by Richmond Oval High Performance (@ovalhp) on
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To learn more, visit the RBC Training Ground website here.
