Dr. Ronald Noirat, the general director of FICS, indicated FICS would have an office in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and there seems to be funding for a secretary.
Dr. Noirat suggested to the board that the organization make a small change in the organization's name to be more in keeping with French syntax. The acronym remains the same, but the official name is now the Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport.
Dr. Brian Nook, FICS 1st vice president, provided a report on the Sydney Olympics, stating that approximately 40 DCs from over 30 countries were present. He will follow with a complete report on the number of DCs present, the number of countries receiving chiropractic care, and the number of adjustments received by the athletes at a future meeting.
FICS President Daniele Bertamini reported on the International Skating Federation events in Salt Lake City; Akita, Japan; and Vancouver, British Columbia in which FICS members were involved. The International Softball Federation (ISF) will hold its annual meeting in August, in Florida, and the FICS has been invited to make a presentation for the inclusion of DCs at softball events worldwide.
Patricia Schaller reported on the International Rowing Championships in Zagreb, where several DCs provided chiropractic care.
Dr. Enrique Benet of Mexico City, FICS second vice president, provided a report on the meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). The meeting resulted in Brazil including a chiropractor for its Olympic team in Sydney. The presentation was well received by the ANOC delegates, and several inquiries were made about DCs working with athletes.
The following countries requested admission into FICS and were unanimously accepted by the general assembly: Canada; France; Ireland; Japan; St. Kitts; Spain; Bolivia; and Hong Kong.
The All-Mediterranean Games were held in Tunisia September 2-15. Dr. Jim Lowrance (Las Vegas, Nevada) was responsible for securing this event for FICS through his contacts with Tunisian officials at the Sydney Olympic Games, and headed up the chiropractic team.
We would like to thank Alyson Wreford,DC, FICS board member from the U.K., for her contributions and the sacrifices she has made to help chiropractors gain access to sports events around the world. We would also like to welcome Dr. Tom Greenway from the U.K. for "filling in" for Dr. Wreford until the next general election in 2002. He is an appointee of Dr. Bertamini.
A New U.S. Sports Federation
FICS, along with the ACA Sports Council (ACASC), Care of the Elite and Professional Athlete (CEPA), the ICA Fitness Council (ICAFC), and ProSport have formed a new organization known as the United States Sports Chiropractic Federation (USSCF). Its purpose is to serve as a governing body for the United States sports chiropractors and organizations. It shall promote and develop the care of athletes and personnel at international sporting events and activities. Its mission as a national governing body is to promote the advancement of the chiropractic profession in international sports. The USSCF has elected the following officers:
President: Tim Ray,DC (ACASC)
Vice President: Jim Lowrance,DC (ProSport)
Sec. General: Monty Wilburn,DC (independent)
Treasurer: Ron Spallone,DC (CEPA)
Board Member-at-Large: John Downes,DC (ICAFC)
Chairman of the Board: Brian Nook,DC (FICS)
Country Reports
Canada
Dr. Robert Gringmuth, president of the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences, announced that more of its members have been working at national and international events for Canada. Chiropractic has been fully integrated into the Canadian medical teams. There are 64 fellows of the college, with Dr. Greg Uchacz heading the residency program at the University of Calgary, which began in May 2001.
As always, I would like to express my gratitude to the college board, especially to Dr. Jim Verners, editor of the Sport Report, for providing a copy of his publication to FICS.
United Kingdom
Later this year, DCs Fiona Jacobs, Alyson Wreford, Simon Lawson and Dik Skippings will support the British Veteran Athletics Team in Brisbane, Australia at the World Championships. The next World Championships will be in Puerto Rico in 2003. This is the largest athletics meeting in the world, with about 8,000 athletes competing.
There is an attempt being made to discuss the involvement of chiropractors at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. There are several chiropractors working with different teams throughout the U.K., including Dr. Matthew Bennett with the British ski team, Dr. Marcel Morelli with the British judo and wrestling teams, and Dr. David Middleton with the Para-Olympics and Sutherland Football Club. Dr. Robert Scott participated in the Army Squash Championships, and Dr. Simon Lawson went to Bordeaux with the British Veteran Athletics Team for the European Indoor Championships.
Drs. Tom Greenway and Paul Cheung attended the Fitness Professionals Conference in Birmingham, and Dr. Cheung has been appointed team chiropractor to the Leeds United Football Club.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Chiropractic Federation will participate in the 10th Super Kung Sheung Cup International Basketball Invitation Championship. The teams competing in this tournament include Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Hong Kong has also reported the selection of Dr. Timothy Fok as a member of the IOC. Though not a chiropractor, this will help the Hong Kong chiropractors in the future to become more involved with sporting events in their region.Mexico/Latin America
Dr. Enrique Benet continues to work diligently toward the opening of a chiropractic college in Mexico City. Many hours and years have gone into the planning for the college, which is scheduled to open this year. We salute Dr. Benet and all the DCs in Latin America for their continued efforts to further the profession through education and the development of the college. (Editor's note: DC has contacted Dr. Benet for more information on this development.)
There are several weightlifting events scheduled in Latin America for the remainder of the year, and we expect coverage for all of them.
Italy
The Italian Rowing Federation asked for collaboration with the Italian Chiropractic Sports Council (CICS) to provide coverage for the rowing championships. CICS members selected to provide their expertise included: Drs. McDougal; Mariani; Cento; Cory; and Bertamini. Drs. Pelissier and Cento will also provide chiropractic care to the Italian Snow Board Federation.
On July fourth, Dr. Bertimini met in Lausanne, Switzerland with Dr. Jane Moran, chairperson of the International Skating Federation (ISU) medical commission. The ISU agreed to continue the use of FICS DCs at its events, of which six were selected for the upcoming season. Chiropractors will be allowed to work rinkside, provided enough space will be available for medics and physiotherapists.
Drs. Bertamini and Noirat met with IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch July 11 in Lausanne, just prior to his departure for Moscow. The meeting began with a report from the FICS and its involvement at the Sydney Olympics, where the doctors explained the difficulties they had encountered with the SOCOG and the medical commission. President Samaranch promised to call a meeting in August with the incoming IOC president to introduce him to the FICS, and to support our DCs by asking the new president to send a letter to the organizers of the Salt Lake City Olympic Committee to support the services of FICS chiropractors.
Thomas Hyde,DC,DACBSP
Secretary General, FICS
Dr. Thomas E. Hyde is a graduate of Florida State University and Logan College of Chiropractic.