Eoin Naughton, Peak Physio’s clinical director was selected to work as a Physiotherapist at the recent 2016 Summer Olympics, held in Rio. Here is his story of working at the biggest sporting event in the World. title=”rio olympics peak physio” src=”https://www.peakphysio.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20160816_084859-300×169.jpg” alt=”20160816_084859″ width=”300″ height=”169″ />
It all started about 18 months ago, when I applied for the position of Medical Professional through the IOC (International Olympic Committee). After a lot of paper work and two interviews I received my letter of invitation to work at the 31st Olympiad. I also found out that I would be working as a FOP (Field of Play) Physiotherapist at the Rowing, Sprint Canoeing and Kayaking events. This entailed looking after the Athletes medical needs and any medical emergencies while they were at the rowing venue.
I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness when I found that my position was at the rowing venue. Most of the international experience I have has been in boxing, through my work with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association travelling to World and European competitions. However, we generally have a lot of rowers coming into the clinic, so once you know the dynamics of the sport you will know how to treat the athletes’ injuries.
It was also exciting that Ireland had qualified for 3 events; Men’s Lightweight Skulls with Gary and Paul O’Donovan, Women’s Lightweight Skulls with Claire Lambe and Sinead Jennings, and Single Skuller Sanita Puspure.
What happened over the event was beyond most people’s expectations, having never medalled at Rowing in the Olympics and previously only once making it to a final. Now we had two teams in a final and we all know what happened with the famous O’Donovan Brothers. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of guys. It was great to be positioned on the finish line to congratulate the pair when they staggered from the boat. All the rowers did the country proud with Sinead Jennings and Claire Lambe performing brilliantly in the women’s light weight double skulls final. Sanita Puspure, with a bit more luck in her extremely hard heat, could have made it to a final.
It was great to work with some of the powers of world rowing, such as Germany, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. To work with these top class athletes and see their level of preparation was a real eye opener. Also to get the chance to work alongside the top Sports Physicians and Physiotherapists of the World was a great learning experience.
Other than working at the rowing it was great to be at the Olympics, sampling the atmosphere, having the craic with the Irish supports, been interviewed by the Wall street journal were a few of the highlights. Tomas Barr’s performance stuck out to me as one of the best Irish performances, he was so unlucky not to medal. I loved the fact that every Irish fan in the stadium snuck down to seats on the finish line in order to let Tomas know he had a lot of support. It was great when he came back into the Irish fans to celebrate.
My last thought’s on Rio was…sign me up for Tokyo 2020!
