Rob Hanley, Clinical Director at Total Care Physio was selected to work as a chartered physiotherapist at the Summer games in Rio 2016.
He reflects on working with the world’s most elite athletes on the very biggest of stages.
The process to work with the Olympic Committee at an olympics is a long one. It all started off 2 years ago and after months of interviews, screenings, video discussions and training, the bags were packed and I was ready to go.
As a physiotherapist, I worked in the Polyclinic in the athlete’s village. Roughly the size of a GAA pitch, the Polyclinic houses all the medical supports that an athlete needs, from the physiotherapy service to podiatry, pharmacy, X-ray, MRI, sports medicine and even dentistry.
An Incredible Environment
The Polyclinic is a fascinating place and as a working environment it is sensational. The Olympic Committee had assembled a team of international professionals that worked as a close knit unit. It has the very best equipment, no waiting times, instant access. An athlete walking in the door, unannounced, could see his doctor and physio, get an MRI and be back out preparing for his event with his prescription within a couple of hours.
Working with the Best
To work with the very best clinicians in their respective fields, in one place, at one time, does not happen often.The hours are long but so rewarding and the opportunity to troubleshoot problems that come up for athletes on the eve of the biggest event of their sporting careers is particularly special. Working with the biggest names in sport on the eve of battle is a great place to be
Beautiful Brazil
Luckily, in my down time I got to see a bit of Rio itself. The beaches, the city, the people and, of course, the Irish on tour. It’s a rare rare place and one I certainly won’t be forgetting!