LIFE AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS
Every four years, the summer Olympics take center stage in the world of sport. This summer was no different when Paris hosted the 2024 Olympic Games. IFSPT and its member organizations were, of course, on hand to support the athletes and teams participating in Paris.
Some of our member organizations kindly shared their experiences, beginning with their lives at the Olympic campus. We are proud to present a photo summary of their work this summer.
Lodging was a bit different from past summer Olympics, as the Paris committee strove to present the most “green” Olympics in the modern day. This is a challende when you are planning for almost 11,000 athletes, plus their coaches, medical staff and sup-
port staff! Considering that events were held in 16 additional cities outside Paris, and transportation was required for all athletes, the coordinated effort was massive.
Meals featured many plant-based and vegan options, healthy and nutrient-dense snacks, alongside the pastries the French are so well known for. Cultural and religious preferences were also addressed in daily menus, speakiing to the diversity of the 205 countries represented. Beds were built of recycled (and recyclable) cardboard. No air conditioning was provided within village rooms in order to minimize the carbon footprint of the games. While many countries don’t commonly have air conditioning in their homes and offices in the summer, others found this challenging and took steps to assure their personal
Food court in the Olympic Village.
comfort! Sitting areas for relaxing and conversation were part of the Olympic Village room plans. It would not be a sport event without a well-supplied gymnasium to help not only athletes but their support teams to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Congratulations to the French Olympic Committee and to the many volunteers who cared for our IFSPT athletes – and each other! – this summer! Enjoy the stories and picture memories from five of our member organizations. We are grateful for the time they took to share with us!
Left, a typical Olympic Village room, complete with the famous cardboard bed!
Above, an Olympic Village sitting area.
Gym in the Olympic Village.
S L O V E N I A
Working on Olympic games as a physical therapist is a big honor. Not just representing our profession, but also representing our country. By participating in the Olympic Games, all the effort that the therapist puts into his work pays off.
The path is not easy because you have to invest a lot of time in education and regularly upgrade your knowledge. However, knowledge is not everything. You also need to know how to work in a team, you have to know how to adapt and leave your emotions aside. If you get carried away, you can make a mistake. As a manager of therapists, I also need to have organizational and communication skills, as it is necessary to conduct many interviews and recordings.
Being at the Olympics does not only mean working in the physiotherapy room, but also includes a lot of work on the field, where you have to know the rules of the individual sport, adapt to the work environment and offer the athlete a sense of security with your presence. The dress code for certain sports is also important.
It is very important to help each other, even for athletes from other countries if they do not have their own therapist. At the Olympic Games in Paris, we cooperate a lot with the Turkish and Finnish Olympic teams.
In the Olympic Village, we have arranged special medical rooms where we work with athletes. The
Slovenian medical team - 4 doctors and 2 physiotherapists, Jure Bornšek (black circle) and Tjaša Mlinari� (blue circle)
room is equipped with all modern equipment, but the most important thing is the knowledge of the therapist himself, especially in manual techniques. The days are tiring because we leave early for the sports venues, come back late, and then work into the night. At all times, we work closely with doctors who, in the event of serious injuries, immediately arrange all examinations and prescribe any medications.
With all the effort, the rush, we must not forget ourselves. We should eat healthy, exercise regularly and try to use every free moment to rest. Cooperation with kinesiologists, trainers and Olympic delegation is also very important. Everything is subordinated to success at the games.
- Jure Bornšek, PT from Slovenia
Jure with Slovenian gymnast, Lucija Hribar and her coach.
Physiotherapist Jure Bornšek with a gold medalist in judo - Andreja Leški
Jure with Slovenian handball player, Blaž Janchandball players took the 4th place!
S W I T Z E R L A N D
The Swiss beach volleyball winner and coaches.
The Swiss Medical Team, Paris Olympics 2024.
An overhead view of a training session on the beach volleyball court.
Top, an equestrienne and horse prepare to compete.
View of an equestrian event, compliments of Liz Davidson, Switzerland.
Left, equestrian facility grounds.
Stefan Schoenenberg watches Swiss team play with German physio and coach.
H A I L A N D
The Thai Sports Physiotherapy Society is pleased to share that the following members participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics!
• Asst.Prof. Suwit Ariyachaikul
• Miss. Wonquan Kosago
• Mr. Patcharapong Wiriyatumjaroen
• Mr. Kathanon Phonpuet
• Miss. Kanyarut Jittiparnun
Congratulations to the Thai medical team and our elite athletes!
Above, Mr. Kathanon Phonpuet and Miss Wonquan Kosago in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Right, Mr. Patcharapong Wiriyatumjaroen, Asst.Prof. Suwit Ariyachaikul and Miss. Kanyarut Jittiparnun in front of the Thai House.
No stranger to the Olympic spirit, Brazil fielded not only a full range of athletes but an equally impressive medical team!
Allison Paz
Above, André Venturine, and below, Eduardo Ruhling, beach volleyball.
Fåbio Conrado, Boxing.
Isabella Rossi Marina Lorenzi, Gymnastics (tranpoline).
Tatiana Moreira dos Santos Ribeiro, COB support.
Tiago Testa, Swimming.
Ygor Ronyelle and Paulo Mårcio, Rhythmic Gymnastics.
B E. L G I U M
By Styn Vereecken
Master Sport Physiotherapy with IFSPT recognition Affiliations:
University Hospitals Leuven
Sportmedisch Adviescentrum https://www.uzleuven.be/nl/sportmedisch-adviescentrum-smac
Team Belgium: https://www.teambelgium.be/en/aboutboic
For the Paris games, I was assigned to both tennis and triathlon. Familiarization for tennis took place during the Hamburg Open ATP tournament with Belgian players Zizou Bergs (men, single) and both Sander Gillé and Joran Vliegen (men, double). After this tournament we set off to Paris to join the Team Belgium selection in the Olympic village.
The tennis competition took place at the legendary Roland Garros venue.
Team Belgium tennis players,coach and medical team. from left to right: Ruben Bemelmans, coach; Bart De Keersmaeker, Operational Director of Top Sports at Top Sports Center Tennis and Padel, Flanders; Joran Vliegen, player mens double; Sander Gillé, player mens double; Zizou Bergs, player mens single; Styn Vereecken.
The triathlon races with our Belgian athletes Jelle Geens, Jolien Vermeylen, Claire Michel and Marten Van Riel, were held in the beautiful Paris historical center.
Besides tennis and triathlon, assisting my colleagues and working within team Belgium with the track and field athletes, ladies hockey team,and boxing was also very exciting.
As I am striving to reach the highest professional level within sportphysio, attending the Olympic
games was so far the greatest experience within my career. Being part of the biggest global sport event; I was able to get the best out of myself. I consider it as ‘a personal best’ ��
The Seine at night.
Bicycles await triathlon participants.
Track and field stadium.
Looking forward to contribute to L.A. 2028! Lifelong learning!
Thanks to my professional partners: University Hospital Leuven, Belgian Federation of Sports Physiotherapy, International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy, and Team Belgium. And many thanks to my personal partners: my wife and kids for supporting me!
Some of the Belgian medical team. In the blue ring, Styn Vereecken; in the yellow ring, Ellen Jacobs, sportphysio; in the black ring, Valentine Smidt, sportphysio; in the red ring, Lien Steurs, sportphysio. Kneeling, Katja Vanoostvelt, MD; standing, center, Aurélie De Ryck, sportphysio; Maarten Thyssen, sportphysio; Prof P. Wylleman, welfare officer. Foreground: Prof J. Bellemans, MD, CMO team Belgium and Prof J. F. Kaux, MD.