Dr. Clive Bridgham, Longtime Rumford Resident, at Rio 2016 Olympics

The Rio 2016 Polyclinic - An Athlete-Centered Experience in the Olympic Village

These services are provided by the host country in a multidisciplinary polyclinic open to all athletes, coaches and officials. Dr Bridgham served over a three week period from July 29th until August 11. During the first week of the Rio Olympics, the polyclinic protocols are tested and adapted. .

At first it was like being a mouse in a huge maze of corridors, offices, entries, exits, not to mention protocols. It quickly became an athlete centered, check your ego at the outside door experience. Being a member of the sports medicine team for Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Polyclinic of the Olympic Village (OLV) was a superb experience which was built on the efforts of many chiropractic sports physicians over many decades.

Arriving on my first assignment day was a transportation maze. I was living with friends in Logoa, where the rowing and kayak events took place. I opted to take a taxi as I had no idea of the public transportation logistics of walking to buses which took you to subways which took you to more busses and more walking. My taxi arrived 15 minutes late and the driver really didn’t know where the Olympic Village was located. After 50 minutes and several circling along on the same roads we found an entrance to the OLV. The guards wouldn’t let the taxi into the restricted area. We were stopped with a huge bus honking behind us. I got out of the taxi and fortunately one of the guards spoke enough English and let me get on the bus which was authorized to go into the outer perimeter of the village. I walked toward some volunteers and asked how do I get to the Polyclinic. Passing though security with credential check, metal detector, and x-ray examination of my official volunteer carry bag, they pointed me in the right direction. After a fast walk/jog , which seemed like an eternity.

On arrival at the Polyclinic we had our meeting of the physical therapies team of physios, chiros, and osteos, introductions all around, and then toured the clinic which included many specialties: dentistry, ophthalmology, emergency room, orthopedic sports medicine ,podiatry, osteopathy, massage therapy, and of course chiropractic.

The complex also included two state-of-the-art MRIs, one digital x-ray, a cryo pool room, a rehab room with an antigravity treadmill, conference rooms, storage rooms, IT rooms, break areas, and reception.
There was a room for orthotics and support braces for ankles to shoulders, a chiropractic table room, an osteopathic table room, and our main area for physical medicine - the physio room with 12 treatment tables and state-of-the-art physio machines for ultrasound, ems, laser, cryo/compression, and hot moist packs. There was also a Swiss machine for intense pulsed ultrasound. The one exception was that no acupuncture allowed in the clinic. The physios were allowed to perform mobilization but only the chiros and osteopaths were allowed to perform manipulation.

During the first few days, the early morning hours were relatively quiet with only an easy flow of returning athletes, so it was watch and learn and figure out what specialty we each were as we were all dressed the same and our credentials made no differentiation as to our degrees. It was an adaptive process on all sides, learning the subspecialties of each provider. Watching the team develop understanding and work together was a great experience.

Our teams were divided into two shifts. On my first day there were only about 2,500 people housed in the OLV, by midway through my rotation the OLV swelled to at least 11,000 occupants. Athletes accompanied by their team doctor or team physio were allowed direct access and could either work with us or independently.

I found many team physios and some team MDs were very interested in referring and watching chiropractic services. Pleased athletes spread the word about the clinic and soon the volume increased exponentially. Once the athlete was in the physio treatment area interdisciplinary referrals were allowed and encouraged, providing the athletes with a world-class experience. My first day shift ended at 3pm with a debriefing and a team Rio cheer.

There are so many people to thank for their years of work in making the Rio 2016 Polyclinic the success that it was. Of special note are Dr Marcelo Botelho, the lead chiropractic physician and Felipe Tadiello, coordinator of Physical Therapy Services. Many people were exposed to chiropractic services for the first time. Many new friendships were formed and old acquaintances renewed.

It is amazing what happens when you have a dedicated team of professionals who are athlete centered treating the finest athletes in the world. It was truly a world-class experience, well worth the time to learn how to navigate the maze.

Dr. Clive W. Bridgham, a chiropractic sports medicine specialist and director of the Barrington Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Barrington, Rhode Island has over 25 years of experience at local, national and international games events, including the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics with the World Olympians Association. He was one of the 17 chiropractors from 8 countries chosen by the RIO 2016 Organizing Committee to serve in the host medical services during the Olympics and Paralympics.