ICF World Championships in Romania - PSM is There To Help

Proud to be part of team Canada.  Our Olympians travel with a support team of coaches, managers and often healthcare specialists.   The team at Physio Sport Med is proud to be part of the elite therapists and doctors who get the honour of wearing the Canadian colours.

Most recently, Trish, one of our physiotherapists travelled to Pietsi Romania with Canoe Kayak Canada’s team to the ICF (International Canoe Federation) Junior and U23 World Championship.  While travelling, the therapist’s role is to provide physiotherapy, including exercise, massage and mobilization.  Emergency first aid and general health care advice is also provided if needed.   Our job is to keep them healthy and pain free so they can perform at their highest level possible.

This is definitely a work trip!  The days are long, starting at the race course for 7 AM Trish works in the Canada tent providing flushing massages to reduce lactic acid and get the athletes ready for their afternoon race.  Just prior to the events there are treatments to loosen muscle, assist with warm -up and get the blood flowing.   The race ends in early evening after which it is back to the hotel for dinner.

After dinner, a small clinic is set up for treatment of more chronic problems or maintenance work that helps get the athletes through the season.     So, although I have heard the mountains of Romania are stunning and there is a mysterious vampire castle lurking only 2 hours away, those trips will have to wait until next time.

I am there for athletes so they can do our country proud, and the Canadian team certainly did, claiming 4 medals: 1 bronze, 2 silver and 1 gold by Katie Vincent in the 1 x 200 canoe event.  Nothing beats the feeling of singing O Canada and watching our flag wave – and knowing that you played a small role in that happening.