Science to power performance in the new state-of-the-art center

Elite athletes often speak about chasing fractions of a second or a few extra centimeters. At Tel Aviv University, those margins are becoming the focus of cutting-edge research.

This week, TAU officially inaugurated the Sylvan Adams Sport Science Institute, a landmark new center that brings together researchers, physicians, engineers, physiologists, data scientists, and AI experts to transform scientific discoveries into practical tools for athletic performance. Established through an approximately $35 million philanthropic gift from businessman and philanthropist Sylvan Adams, the Institute positions Tel Aviv University at the forefront of sport science research while strengthening Israel’s competitive edge on the international stage.

More than a state-of-the-art training center, the institute is designed as a living laboratory where science and elite sport meet. Researchers will investigate everything from exercise physiology and biomechanics to nutrition, injury prevention, environmental adaptation, and performance optimization, translating academic research into personalized programs for athletes.

“The Institute at TAU is unique and will do groundbreaking research. It lays the scientific, technological, and research foundation that will help Israeli athletes achieve new levels of sporting excellence and I believe that bringing together research, innovation, and professional excellence will help develop Israel’s next generation of champions,” said Mr. Sylvan Adams at the inauguration ceremony.

Mr. Sylvan Adams talking about his vision for the Institute (photo: Yael Tzur)

The Institute houses one of Israel’s and the world’s most advanced sport science facilities. Its laboratories—developed in collaboration with TAU’s Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the Fleischman Faculty of Engineering—include an advanced scientific gym, motion analysis systems with high-speed video technology, a swimming flume, comprehensive fitness assessment facilities, and a climate chamber capable of recreating the temperature and humidity conditions athletes encounter at competitions around the world. A hypoxic hotel can even simulate training at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters, allowing researchers to study and enhance performance under extreme conditions.

Athletes will receive individualized physiological testing, nutrition guidance, mental performance support, and data-driven training recommendations. At the same time, researchers will use these facilities to conduct world-class applied research aimed at improving athletic performance, reducing injury risk, and advancing our understanding of human physiology.

“We are proud to inaugurate the Sylvan Adams Sport Science Institute, a project that would not have come into being without Sylvan’s extraordinary vision and generosity,” said TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat.

Canadian-Israeli philanthropist Sylvan Adams has played a transformative role in advancing Tel Aviv University’s vision, building on his family’s longstanding commitment to the institution. Through major philanthropic support, he established the Sylvan Adams Sport Science Institute as well as the Sports Center, helping position TAU as a national leader in sports science, athletic performance, and Olympic athlete development. A Vice-Chair of TAU’s Board of Governors and second-generation benefactor, Adams has also strengthened the University through scholarships, research initiatives, and global advocacy on its behalf.

The Olympic Partnership

A major milestone announced during the inauguration was a new strategic partnership between the institute and the Olympic Committee of Israel. Under the collaboration, selected Olympic athletes will receive ongoing scientific assessments and personalized support as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, creating a direct pipeline between university research and international competition.

Trying the advanced gym equipment with Olympic cyclist Mikhail Yakovlev (photo: Yael Tzur)

Prof. Irad Ben-Gal, who heads the Institute, emphasized that its greatest strength lies in bridging the gap between research and practice. “What makes the Institute unique is its ability to transform scientific data into practical recommendations,” he said. “Every athlete will receive an individualized performance plan designed to improve results, optimize training, reduce injury risk, and monitor progress over time.”

While elite competitors will be among its primary beneficiaries, the Institute’s impact will extend well beyond Olympic sport. Its expertise and services will also support sports clubs, coaches, recreational athletes, and researchers, creating new opportunities for collaboration and innovation while advancing Tel Aviv University’s leadership in health, performance science, and interdisciplinary research.