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MY OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE
By Ms Marie-Caroline HOCKE (BEL)
Working in the Medical Department of the Belgian Olympic and Inter-Federal
Committee (BOIC), I had the great honour and opportunity to be a part of the
Olympic Games in 2000 in Sydney, with the IOC Medical Commission. Not being
a member of this Commission, I had the opportunity to accompany Prof. Xavier
Sturbois, Commission member and then Vice-Président of the BOIC and Chairman
of the Medical Department, in order to assist him in his work during the Games.
This work did not begin on the day of the Opening Ceremony but, rather, two
days before, and lasted until two days after the Closing Ceremony.
The days preceding the opening of the Games were necessary to become
familiar with all the competition venues, as well as with the Olympic Village and,
more specifically, the anti-doping control centres, set up especially for the Games.
It was also important to know where the hospitals in the area were. Preparation
meetings were organised in order to determine each Commission member's duties.
The Medical Commission is chaired by a Belgian, Prince Alexandre de Merode,
and the IOC Medical Director is Doctor Patrick Schamasch from France.
Most Commission members are medical doctors, while some specialise in
biomechanics and one is a physiotherapist. Whilst the physiotherapist was
responsible for the Olympic Village Physiotherapy and Massage Centre, the other
doctors worked at the different competition venues and the Olympic Village. They
carried out anti-doping tests before and just after competitions and ensured the
smooth running of the medical services provided before, during and after all the
sports events. It was not a case of resting on one's laurels because there were
many tests to be carried out - each medallist (gold, silver and bronze) in every
discipline is tested, as well as some athletes tested at random.
The Medical Commission met every night when the competitions were over.
That day's medical problems were discussed, the results of the anti-doping
controls reviewed and the positive cases (as, unfortunately, there were some)
discussed in depth.
The athlete with a positive sample is heard at great length and, if he/she so
wishes, can be accompanied and defended by his/her trainer, doctor and/or other
representative from his/her NOC.
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