107th IOC Session - LA84 Foundation

Medical Services
288
First aid staff on
standby at an alpine
skiing venue
A comprehensive medical services programme
was developed to provide medical care,
supervise doping control, conduct gender verification,
and implement programmes for public
health and sanitation. In November 1993,
NAOC’s Medical Services Commission, comprising
19 experts from medical and governmental
organizations, was established under the
chairmanship of IOC Medical Commission
member Prof. Yoshio Kuroda to develop a medical
services plan for the Games. In May of the
following year, sub commissions were set up to
formulate detailed plans relating to medical care,
medical control, and public health and sanitation.
Medical services for the Games were developed
in accordance with guidelines stated in the
IOC Medical Code. Progress reports, inspections,
and meetings were part of the regular coordination
routine between NAOC and the IOC
Medical Commission. During the Games, the
IOC also conducted a number of biomechanical
research projects under the supervision of Prof.
Kazuhiko Watanabe from Hiroshima
University.
Organization
To coordinate overall medical services during
the Games, a Medical Command Centre
(MCC) was established at the Nagano Public
Health Centre. Located near the IOC hotel, the
Centre opened in December 1997 and remained
operational for 100 days. Administered by a
staff of 50, the MCC was responsible for coordinating
with all related facilities and personnel regarding
all aspects of medical services, doping
control, gender verification, and public health
and sanitation. The MCC was under the direction
of NAOC’s Chief Medical Officer Prof.
Shigeaki Kobayashi of Shinshu University, who
during the Games also served as NAOC’s representative
at the IOC Medical Commission plenary
session and daily meetings.