It is a huge undertaking: The first phase costs are projected at $70 million.
Particular emphasis at this Olympic Training Center will be given to those Olympic sports that are not fully served by an existing center: track and field; cycling; diving; soccer; tennis; volleyball; and water polo are but a few of the sports that will benefit from the center.
A partial list of the facilities will include: residences for at least 300 athletes; dining facilities; administrative offices; visitors' center; 57,000 sq. ft. gymnasium; 4 soccer fields; 400-meter track, 50-meter pool; 12 clay tennis courts; and on-site medical and testing facilities.
With this as a background, "DC" is printing the following letter from Gary Wood, D.C., that brings to light an interesting aspect of the new Olympic Center vis-a-vis chiropractic. "DC" wishes to thank Dr. Wood for this contribution.
Why is our profession always playing catch-up?
Why are we so often trying to catch the wave after the crest has passed?
Is it about to happen again?
The third Olympic Training Center in the U.S. is being designed and developed right now in San Diego County. The center will have a 155,000 sq. ft. sports medicine facility. Currently there are provisions to house medical, dental, optometry, and physical therapy in the facility.
Is anything being overlooked?
That's right, no provision for chiropractic in the most modern, high public visability sports medicine center in the U.S.
Why is that?
When asked, Kelly Mitchell at the San Diego National Sports Training Foundation, developers of the U.S. Olympic Training Center, responded that "no one has acted to insure that chiropractic will be included."
Why is that?
Medical physicians have had signed into law (9-9-90) a measure exempting out-of-state physicians from California licensure if they wish to practice at the Olympic Center. Their law does not cover chiropractors. When asked, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners responded that "no similar effort is being made to insure our profession the same privilege."
Why is that?
I don't have the answer for that, but I do know that Olympic athletes use chiropractic. I know that sports accounts for the majority of positive public relations that chiropractic receives. I know that a clearly designated chiropractic treating area will establish legitimacy of chiropractic care in the minds of the athletes and the visiting public. Finally, I know that our profession will be included only if we act to have it included. We can catch this wave!
The San Diego County Chiropractic Society has been challenged to make chiropractic part of the new Olympic Center by: lobbying on licensure; financial contributions; educating its membership; and demanding action from our state and national organizations.
What are you going to do?
Gary R. Wood, D.C.
La Mesa, California