Fit and healthy athletes are the number one priority for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games.

A team of five expert medical staff led by leading sports physician Dr Susan White, will be on hand in Singapore to ensure the 100 Australian athletes are in the best possible shape for competition.

“The AOC will manage all sports medicine and physio needs for the Team throughout the Games,” Dr White said.

“Major illness or injury may need to be hospitalised but I am very confident with the Singaporean hospital system as many of their doctors have spent time in Australian hospitals and we have similar standards.”

All of the athletes on the Team have undergone a medical screening process prior to the Games which has identified any illnesses, injuries and checked all their medications.

The process has allowed Dr White and her associates to be well prepared for anything that might come her way during the Games.

“I don’t expect too many injuries as we are dealing with a young injury-free team,” Dr White said. “We expect the major request will be for ankle taping.”

The Singapore heat is a consideration for the Team, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius and 85% humidity, but Dr White is not worried.

“I am not overly concerned about the heat in Singapore,” she said. “There are not too many endurance sports on the event program and many of the sports occur indoor. We
expect that the athletes competing in outdoor sports will have done some heat acclimatisation prior to this event”

In addition to the team of doctors and physiotherapists that will be on hand, all athletes will receive a drink bottle and supply of Powerade and a prevention pack containing items such as vitamins, anti-bacterial hand wash, mosquito repellent, and common cold remedies.

Alice Wheeler
AOC