Pre-Games Preparation

Just as the athletes prepare intensively with their training, the sports medicine team prepares thoroughly to provide excellent medical care. I believe in the adage: "if you prepare for problems you won't have them". In the months before the Games I arrange for local medical contacts that would be available in the event of an emergency or if we need to obtain imaging studies (X-ray, MRI). We recommend specific vaccines in the months prior to the Olympic Games and also educate the athletes and staff about strategies to minimize the effects of jet lag, the dangers of positive doping tests from contaminated supplements, and issues related to the expected heat and humidity of Beijing.