Field of Screams-The Ramblings of an Olympic Village Doctor

The Althlete-an epitome of skill, strength, determination and dedication. (Much like your own medical practise really..).  Ever wondered what it would be like if the two came together? The sublime skills of your healing hands returning these elite men and women to the peak of their speed, strength and endurance. Imagine the sense of achievement, having painstakingly restored an athlete to their former self, watching them leap forward into the fray, only to get pummelled once again into a small pile of sinewy tendons, viscous blood and crushed bone. Nice.

Well unless you are a Sports Physician or have a penchant for Sports Medicine-this would appear but a distant day-dream…or is it?

A few years ago I decided to experience first hand what it would be like to surround myself in athletic glory and offered my services as a doctor at the Sydney Olympics. I signed up as an Emergency Doctor (having little experience with actual sports medicine) and after much form-filling and interviewing I was offered a job. Each venue had its own medical team however I requested to be placed within the Athletes Village and was amazed at the facilities that had been prepared. There was an Emergency Department, a GP surgery, a Sports Clinic, an ophthalmologist, a dentist, a podiatrist, numerous physios, massage therapists and a fully functional radiology department complete with CT and MRI!

As one of the Emergency Physicians, my role was seeing to any acute medical problems either in liaison with each countries own doctors or (in the case of a number of smaller nations) being the sole medical contact following an acute presentation. We assessed and managed a number of collapses, minor trauma and soft tissue injuries. Some of the more unusual presentations included the entire Swedish Judo team who, after completing their competition on the second day of the Games decided to celebrate by visiting some of the bars in town After making it as far as the first pub outside the gate (for about 8 hours) they decided to race the village bikes back to their compound. Sadly on the way they crashed (mainly into each other) and presented to the ED at about 1.30am with multiple abrasions, a couple of fractures and many Swedish drinking songs. There was also the Russian Weightlifter who subluxed his elbow during a lift and was unable to fit into either the CT or the MRI. And of course the Brazilian sprinter who insisted he was examined EVERY day for any signs of “Australian” diseases….

The work was certainly not onerous (probably just as well as voluntary work does not tend to pay too well) and the real, almost palpable atmosphere that existed made the whole experience quite unique. As althetes returned triumphant each day proudly holding medals aloft you couldn’t help cheering with everyone else, somehow feeling that you had in a small way contributed to their success.

There are many sporting events both nationally and internationally always in need of doctors skills. Although this work is almost always voluntary, the experiences are unforgettable. It does require a degree of planning, flexibility and the ability to rapidly adapt your medical practise to some unusual situations. And of course a passion for sport is certainly an asset.

Dr Brett Gerrard