Golden Olympics role for city sports doctor

john.morgan@cambridge-news.co.uk

A CAMBRIDGE doctor will ensure Britain's athletes are fit for the Beijing Olympics.

Dr Cathy Speed, a sports medicine consultant at Addenbrooke's Hospital, will be chief medical officer at the team's pre-Games "holding camp" for preparation and acclimatisation.

For the duration of the games she will put Cambridge sports injuries to one side and take charge of medical supervision for Britain's elite athletes, including local stars Victoria Pendleton and Goldie Sayers.

The camp, based mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, will see specialists ranging from nutritionists to physiotherapists give the team the best preparation.

Dr Speed, who works at the Spire Cambridge Lea and Nuffield hospitals, said: "My job is to be in charge of medical support until the moment when they drop into the Olympic Village.

"During that time, athletes are at peak fitness coming up to the Games. By the time they go to Beijing, they should be primed and ready."

Dr Speed believes illnesses could be as big a factor as injuries for athletes as they adjust to a new climate. She says the team is still unsure how severe pollution in Beijing will be.

Selection for her role in China came through Dr Speed's work with the Eastern Region section of the English Institute of Sport.

This fosters talents of elite athletes. She is also physician to Middlesex County Cricket Club at Lord's, where the squad includes stars such as Andrew Strauss.

Though there will be pressures in China, Dr Speed finds working with athletes is an enjoyable job.

She said: "My patients are pleasant, focused and motivated people, so it is a pleasure really."

The holding camps last throughout the Games, so there will be little time for Dr Speed to watch the athletes she has worked with when they compete.

But Dr Speed is hoping the Games will bring not just positive results for Britain's athletes, but for Cambridge status as a centre for treating sporting injuries.

"She said: "I just hope this reflects well on sports medicine in Cambridge."


Published: 15/07/2008