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It was a true privilege and honor for
me to work at the top of the game as the Team Sports
Therapist for the United States Eventing Team at the Olympic
Games in Rio de Janeiro. Despite all of the media
controversy and fearful hype about the Games, they went off
safely, smoothly and efficiently. The horses were well cared
for and seemed quite content and happy within the venue.
The Team and support staff were exceptionally talented and
inspirational. We proudly won the Individual Bronze Medal as Philip
Dutton rode brilliantly and tenaciously on the fabulous horse,
Mighty Nice.
There was a distinct dichotomy between the
entire Olympic Venue and the athletes located within the
impoverished setting of Rio. Each day we traveled from our hotel on
the Trans Olympic highway to the equestrian venue.
Our van passed by
poverty stricken areas depleted of some of the basic necessities of
a comfortable life. Dogs and horses wandered in the streets and the
community residents appeared very poor, and deprived of joy and
strength. Unlike the world’s best athletes who performed alongside
the slums (Favela’s) and its residents. The athletes were filled
with joy, exuberance, pride, tenacity, inspiration, determination
and fortitude, unlike the darkness, despair, and shadows of the
people in the slums.
For me, I felt the differences between the
tremendous joy and honor being at the Olympics to the sadness and
concern for the residents who stood by, unable to watch the world’s
best share their gifts at the Games. Gifts many of the people of the
slums will never have a chance to achieve or experience.
Given these notable differences, it was still a great
privilege to work at the pinnacle of the sport! Thank You USA
Eventing Team for such a rich experience in Rio. On to Tokyo 2020!
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