Medical care provision at the venue of the weightlifting event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the medical care provided at the venue of the weightlifting event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Methods We retrospectively evaluated athletes who availed of medical services at the venue during the weightlifting event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In total, 194 athletes participated in the weightlifting competition. Injuries and illnesses were classified into cases handled without physician or cases requiring medical examination by a physician. These were tabulated for each examination location (athlete medical station, field of play [FOP], first-aid station of training floor or warm-up area). Results Throughout the event, a cumulative total of 132 people used the venue medical services. Nine athletes required medical attention at the athlete medical stations. Of these nine cases, six occurred on the training floor. In the FOP, nine athletes were examined. Two experienced light-headedness, two had knee pain, and the rest had other symptoms. No athletes wanted to undergo medical examination at the athlete medical station. 89 medical procedures were performed in the first-aid station on the training floor, including 52 tapings and 37 ice compressions, and the most frequent body part which needed treatment was the knee, followed by the fingers. At the first-aid station on the match floor, 25 medical procedures were performed, including 17 ice compressions, 5 haemostasis, and 4 tapings. The body parts that most frequently needed treatment were the fingers, knees, and lower legs. Conclusion Several athletes needed treatment; however, only a few required medical care from a physician.

Mental illness in elite weightlifters

“…those who are competing at a national, international or professional level). We found very little peer-reviewed research published in this area, despite it growing as an international sport both at recreational and elite levels [36] and there being increased emphasis on considering mental health in elite sport more broadly [8] and in weightlifting specifically [20].…”

“…Furthermore, reflections on medical care at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games [20] reinforced the importance of considering the mental health of elite weightlifters, particularly given that poor mental health is a risk factor for injury [20, 21]. In order to improve support there needs to be a greater understanding of the mental health need that elite weightlifters represent.…”