Behind the scenes at the Commonwealth Games
Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:09:00 BST
Physiotherapy is a popular subject here at the University of Huddersfield and it’s a profession that can lead to some very exciting opportunities. Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy Emma Knott recently joined the team of physiotherapists at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. We thought we’d ask Emma to share with us what it was like to be a part of this international sporting event…
Getting involved in the Commonwealth Games
I am one of the team of physiotherapists for the England Touch Association and therefore I am involved in clinical work with a sports team already. I love the atmosphere and the problem solving that working in sports brings. I remember going to watch the cycling at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games and being excited by the atmosphere and the magnitude of the day, and wishing I could be involved. I had friends who worked at the London 2012 Olympics and their stories fuelled my passion to be involved in a large sporting event.
After a long volunteering process I was selected for one of the 15,000 volunteer positions from over 50,000 applicants. My previous experience of working in sport gave me the opportunity to join the team at Hampden Park where I was able to provide medical cover at both the training facilities and the main stadium.
First impressions
I was very nervous in the lead up to the games as I was staying with a family I had never met, however, I couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple to offer me a home from home during my stay in Glasgow.
I couldn’t believe the atmosphere in Glasgow. The city was buzzing with visitors from all over the Commonwealth. The weather was amazing which added to the buzz in the city with all the parks and common areas within the city being filled with people watching the action on large screens.
And so to work…
My first shift was at the training ground at Hampden Park which was adjacent to the stadium and the area where, during the competition the athletes congregated prior to their events and cooled down post event. The facilities available from the training ground, the stadium, on-site gym, athletes' lounge and medical rooms were excellent and the medical rooms were stocked with equipment and consumables for all professions including emergency kit for trackside.
There was a team of about 30 medical volunteers from physiotherapists to sports massage practitioners, paramedics, doctors and nurses. We rotated around early and late shifts and worked either track side, at the training ground or at the main stadium. This gave us the opportunity to work with a variety of medical professionals all with a wealth of experience and specialities. The volunteers all came from a variety of backgrounds: the NHS, private practice and University lecturers from a variety of sporting backgrounds including athletics, rugby, football, basketball and judo.
We had daily training and continuing professional development sessions all sharing our own expertise. Although we were all individuals we soon became a tight knit team all taking in the experience that being part of the games brought. We became immersed in the Commonwealth Games ‘bubble’.
We provided immediate medical care including physiotherapy and sports massage for any athlete that required advice or treatment and provided support for the team physiotherapist who had travelled with the various different squads. This included manual therapy, massage, taping and the application of ice.
One of our main roles during competition time was to provide immediate medical management for athletes who became injured or ill during competition and I soon found out that the ‘longer’ distance sprinters often became exhausted at the end of their races and needed a helping hand!
Personal highlights
I have so many special memories and highlights from the games but seeing Usain Bolt in the flesh and watching Sally Pearson (the Australian Olympic 100m hurdle champion) training have to be amongst the best. I will also remember the colourful medical team from Trinidad and Tobago bringing their music along to the training facility and dancing at the side of the training track.
I was lucky enough to have my picture taken with Wayde Van Niekerk, the South African 400m sprinter silver medallist just after his race. He let me have my picture taken with his medal and it’s the closest I will ever get to owning a medal of my own!
Access all areas
The networking opportunities were something that I did not envisage yet I spent a lot of time chatting to the physiotherapists from other countries and sharing ideas and learning about the profession from the perspective of South African and Canadian physiotherapists.
When we were quieter I was able to go into the stadium and catch some of the live action. I saw Greg Rutherford win his gold medal for the long jump and the 15,000 metres steeplechase. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric and I felt privileged to be able to ‘access all areas’ and see all the behind the scenes action too.
What’s next?
I have some great memories, learned some new skills and made some life-long friends. To be part of such a momentous sporting event and to learn all about the organisation and management of such an event first hand is invaluable.
I would certainly encourage anyone thinking of volunteering to get involved. The experience is priceless and I loved every minute of being involved in the Commonwealth Games.
Bring on the Olympics in Rio 2016…applications open at the end of August!
