07/14/2016    AAPSM Board

OH Podiatrist Heading to Rio Olympics

Recently PM News posted a story about a DPM who
was reported to have been invited by the USOC
to be part of the medical staff at the Olympic
Games in Rio. The American Academy of Podiatric
Sports Medicine has forged relationships with
the United States Olympic Committee both
directly and through its membership in the
Joint Commission of Sports Medicine. Several
AAPSM members have volunteered, sometimes at
their own expense, at Olympic venues and other
World Championships.

Currently there is no official medical staff
that includes a DPM, including track and field.
This has been verified with the Director of
Clinical Research and Multidisciplinary Care
for the USOC. According to him, the DPM
claiming “he has been invited by the USOC“ will
not serve on the USOC medical staff and is
traveling with one athlete. We realize
newspapers may exaggerate stories but feel it
is the individual who should make sure the
reporting is factual.

At some point in the future, we hope DPMs will
serve in an official capacity with the USOC.
Part of the barrier had been that DPMs could
not participate in the mandatory two-week
rotation at an official USOC center. One of our
AAPSM Board members has been able to clear this
hurdle; DPMs can now volunteer for a rotation.
The fact remains there is no funding for a DPM
on many of the Team USA staffs. The USOC does
refer patients to DPMs when needed. There are
other sports such as USA Soccer that sometimes
includes DPMs on their staffs. The AAPSM is
dedicated to improving the sports medicine
education and opportunities for DPMs.
Interested DPMs should join and help in these
efforts which will help educate the medical
community and public.

AAPSM Board

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