theNYCphysio

In 2019, I was nominated by USATF as an alternate for their medical team at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Even though I was bummed at first, I was equally excited to know that I was actually on their radar for a large Team USA event.  

The Pan American Games is the third largest sporting event in the world behind the Summer Olympic Games and the Asian Games. It is held every four years on the year prior to the Olympics and is composed of over 5000 athletes in 36 sports and nearly 400 events. It is affiliated with the IOC and is structured similarly to the Olympic Games. The biggest difference is the Pan American Games limits participation to the Americas and Caribbean nations. Of course, of all the nations, the US tends to send the largest contingent of athletes

Most sports contested at the Pan American Games are also in the Olympic program. However, there are a few events, such as racquetball and men’s fast pitch softball, that are unique to the Pan American Games. Also in common with the Olympic Games are the spectacular Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies and the housing of athletes and staff in the Athlete’s Village.

When I saw the Pan American Games as a choice on the 2019 USATF international teams medical staff application, I immediately thought to myself that if I never get a chance to go to the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games would be a great consolation prize. So deep down inside, I was hoping I would get selected. Much to my surprise, a few months later I received the email from USATF that I was officially invited me to be a part of their medical staff!

Because the marathon is held early on in the Games, I arrived in Peru with the head ATC and the distance coaches a week earlier than the rest of the USATF staff and athletes (the rest of the track events are held in the latter half of the Games). Initially, I didn’t really know any of the staff. It wasn’t until I got to baggage claim, when I noticed a few others wearing the USATF team kit. So we made our introductions and I was no longer alone.

After collecting our luggage, we loaded onto the host shuttle bus to the Village where we got the rest of our credentials and housing assignments. Once checked in, together we headed to a building which housed mostly only Team USA athlete’s and staff. The head ATC and I dropped off our tables and medical equipment and headed up to our room to crash for the night. 

Our room was a part of a quad that shared 2 bathrooms. It was so tiny! Our bedding and towels were Pan American Games specific in which we had the option to take home with us when we departed. It was a nice gesture, but honestly, our bags were already full! So I only took the towels home.

We had two men and two women competing in the marathon and immediately collaborated with them regarding treatment schedules. With only four athletes, we had a lot of free time to explore the Village, work out in the gym, and eat in the huge mess hall. With all the extra time, I even got to fulfill another dream of mine! To walk with Team USA in an Opening Ceremonies!!!!

After the marathon, we had a few days of rest before the rest of the USATF contingent arrived. So we decided to watch some of the other Team USA athletes compete in their events. We were able to watch Men’s Basketball, Men’s Fast-Pitched Softball, and Boxing compete.

For the rest of the time, we lounged around in the lobby watching the events on the tv that was located between the USATF and the USOPC treatment rooms. This was one of my favorite parts of my time in Peru because we watched and cheered along with other Team USA staff and athletes. It was a good time to converse and get to know them. 

USOPC, NGB, and LOC medical meeting in the Polyclinic

A few days later, the rest of the USATF staff and team arrived. It was nice to finally see some familiar faces. To be honest, the rest of it was a blur. We had our team meetings, picked up our Team USA Pan American Games kits, traded pins with other countries, and worked our butts off doing endless treatments at the Village, practice track, and at the stadium for the rest of the Games. 

USATF put together a really talented medical staff and I am proud to have been a part of it. We worked well together and had a lot of fun while we were at it. To top it off, we got the opportunity to walk the Closing Ceremonies as well! To this day, I pinch myself because I got to walk in both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies with Team USA. It was the perfect ending to my first major Team USA event.