A major philanthropic gift has rescued a crucial international training initiative focused on preventing injuries in athletes. The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) in Vail, Colorado, has received a $100,000 commitment from longtime donor Bjorn Erik Borgen to sustain a career development program within the International Olympic Committee's Research Centre network.
Securing the Future of Sports Medicine Training
The contribution, announced on December 18, 2025, will directly fund the 2026 SPRI‑Borgen IOC Research Centre Training and Career Development Travel Award Program. This initiative supports Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, and research fellows, but was facing the loss of essential institutional funding. The program is just two years old and is designed to advance global training in injury prevention research while fostering international mentorship and collaboration.
"Bjorn Erik Borgen is an ardent supporter of our work here at SPRI," said Dr. Marc J. Philippon, chairman of SPRI. "He has earmarked this generous donation specifically to keep this valuable training and career development program alive and thriving." Borgen has supported SPRI's mission since 1998.
A Critical Link in a Global Network
SPRI is a key member of the U.S. Coalition for the Prevention of Illness & Injury in Sport, alongside the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the University of Utah. This coalition is one of only 11 International Olympic Committee Research Centres worldwide, a prestigious designation among over 200 Olympic nations.
The network includes the University of Calgary’s Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre (SIPRC), led by Dr. Carolyn Emery, a longtime collaborator with SPRI. Dr. Emery emphasized the program's impact, stating, "These travel awards have been very successful over the past two years... IOC funds have supported 22 Ph.D. students and postdocs to travel to another IOC Centre for four-to-six-week periods to complete their international training opportunity."
Collaboration as a Cornerstone of Progress
The donation underscores the collaborative spirit that drives modern sports medicine research. Dr. Johnny Huard, chief scientific officer of SPRI, noted that Borgen's gift exemplifies the institute's commitment to partnerships. "Our collaborations, whether in clinical trials, basic science or injury prevention, are essential to our research," Huard said.
Dr. Philippon also highlighted the importance of the institute's connection to the IOC, which is "greatly enhanced by the financial support from our friends like Bjorn." This funding ensures that a pipeline of talented researchers will continue to receive world-class training, ultimately contributing to safer sports participation for athletes around the globe.
