Dundee-based doctor reflects on being Team GB’s chief medic
Dr Niall Elliot usually works as a sports and exercise medicine specialist at Dundee’s Kings Cross Hospital.
Tay News has been catching up with the Dundee based doctor, who is back from being Team GB’s chief medical officer Rio.
NHS Tayside doctor Niall Elliot usually works as a sports and exercise medicine specialist at Dundee’s Kings Cross Hospital, working with elite sportsmen and women from a variety of sports at the sportscotland Institute of Sport.
Ahead of the Olympic Games and in Rio, Niall led a multidisciplinary team of sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists and sports nutritionists, who worked alongside performance teams, to provide care for the inspiring athletes. The 50-strong team included professionals from across the UK and was coordinated by the British Olympic Association team. In his role, Niall was directly involved with athletes competing in the canoe sprint, triathlon, tennis and golf.
He said: “Being in Rio was a great experience with thankfully very few illnesses to report and only a smattering of injuries. British sport is in a good place at the moment with a performance structure supporting from grassroots level to the top. “As a doctor in the Olympic environment, we are there to provide clinical support to the athletes who have strived for many years to become an Olympian. It's a great honour to be part of the team-behind-the-team. “The Games is all about the athlete journey and it's fantastic to play a small part in it. It has been great to work with some well known athletes from British sport with fantastic success for the athletes. “Sports and exercise medicine has come on significantly since London was awarded the Olympic Games. There is an emphasis on getting the population more active to experience the benefits of exercise, including the prevention of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, cancers, mental health issues to name but a few. “Hopefully people who have been watching the athletes competing in Rio will now be inspired to take part in more exercise to get fitter and healthier."