Analytics for Sports

Sponsored by SAS

Multidisciplinary data sources to feed intelligence & investigations processes at the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (François Marclay)

Abstract
In the recent years, the evolution of doping towards more professionalized practices and the increase in reach and density of related networks called for a paradigm shift in anti-doping. The problem is global and involves not only athletes, but a wide variety of actors, either directly or peripherally, in the production, supply and use of prohibited substances and methods. Therefore, exploring new scientific avenues to better identify doping offenses by athletes or/and athlete support personnel became necessary to exert efficient preventive and disruptive effects.

In this context, Anti-Doping Intelligence processes have been developed around IBM i2 database and visualization tools and implemented at the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) to address the different aspects of doping in cycling. Through logical processing of multidisciplinary sources of data gathered in a structured memory, Anti-Doping Intelligence is becoming invaluable for a more comprehensive understanding of doping’s bigger picture to improve the testing strategy and anti-doping program as a whole. Also, dissemination of intelligence produced at CADF provides partners of the fight at WADA, IOC, NADOs, Interpol, law enforcement and customs agencies with more timely, accurate and usable information for decision-making to solve, reduce and/or prevent doping.

Bio
François Marclay completed a PhD in Forensic Sciences from the School of Criminal Justice, University of Lausanne, at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses (LAD). His work put emphasis on the perspectives of forensic intelligence in anti-doping and on the use of nicotine in top-level sport. During his time at LAD as a PhD student and subsequently as a Research Fellow, he focused on multi-disciplinary approaches to better understand and tackle doping and served as certifying scientist at London ’12 and Sochi ’14 Olympics Anti-Doping Laboratories. In 2015, he joined the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) as intelligence coordinator to develop and implement anti-doping intelligence processes, to improve the doping controls strategy and to liaise with partner agencies and authorities in the gathering and dissemination of intelligence.

How have recent rule changes in Major League Baseball (MLB) affected the game ? (Marcel Bieler)

Abstract

No other sport is as obsessed about statistics and data as baseball. Over the last couple of years, Major League Baseball (MLB), the governing body of the sport, has introduced some significant rule changes. This talk tries to achieve two goals:

1. In a first step, it will be shown how baseball data can be obtained from the internet.
2. In a second step, a couple of rule changes and their impact on the game will be analyzed, using the data that's freely available on the internet.

Bio

Marcel Bieler studied Physics at the ETH in Zurich. He has been a data analyst for 16 years, in various industries, from airlines to hospitals and banks. Marcel likes to analyze data to check everyday wisdom (there aren’t more babies being born when it’s full moon!) and he has most likely conducted the most thorough study of baseball caps being worn on the streets of Zurich. He loves baseball and tries to answer as many questions about it as possible using the various sources that are out there.

Why and how team sports should embrace Analytics? (Christer Bodell)

Abstract

Sports Analytics explained using examples from that world, in order to “understand the underlying performance and how it effects the end result”, like Analytics (Performance) vs Reporting (Results). In this context, since hockey is a passion is both Sweden and Switzerland, Christer will focus his presentation on ice hockey.

Bio

Christer works as a Business Advisor for the Nordic Region at SAS Institute, supporting sales towards the Nordic manufacturing industry. His focus is assisting with key account relations and in projects along with speaking and presenting at events and social networking.

He has since the mid-80s experience of working with customers in different industries and different roles but all related to solutions based on business intelligence and analytics.

After his first years as a systems developer Christer has worked in managerial roles in sales support, consulting and as business advisor.