Orthopedic surgeon and Sports Medicine specialist, A. Neil Clerk, MD of Core Physicians recently returned from Finland, where he accompanied the US Ski Team as their designated physician at the World Cup Race. Dr. Clerk spent ten days with these Olympic athletes as they trained and competed in the Levi World Cup Race. Both Mikaela Shiffrin, ranked number 1 in the world, and Ted Ligety, ranked number 2 in the world were under his care.
Dr. Clerk’s responsibility was to provide medical support for the three female and five male skiers representing the United States plus the coaches and other support staff. He skied with them on the slopes, wearing a 50 pound trauma pack, so that he could respond rapidly if necessary. His role also included acting as an injured athlete’s advocate in Finland, making decisions about what treatments would be appropriate and where the athlete should be treated. As a US Ski Team Physician, he accompanies the team once every three years.
“It was an amazing experience,” Dr. Clerk said. “Fortunately, none of the skiers were injured this year. It was an honor to provide medical coverage for our Olympic Athletes.”
Photo: A. Neil Clerk, MD (right) at the Levi World Cup Race in Finland with Chris Antorini, the head athletic trainer for the men’s ski team.