In just a few hours, President Bush opens the XIX Winter Olympic Games at the Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, an extravaganza to be witnessed by 55,000 spectators and a worldwide viewing audience.
Among the athletes in the opening ceremony will be at least two chiropractors: Dave Juehring and Doug Sharp, both Palmer graduates.
Dr. Juehring is director of the chiropractic rehabilitation and sports injury department at the Palmer Main Clinic in Davenport, Iowa, and a veteran bobsledder and coach at the previous two winter Olympics. He was responsible for team selection at the Olympic Bobsled Trials, and will be the leader for the men's and women's U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team. He will be involved with a number of administrative and coaching tasks during the Games.
Dr. Doug Sharp, 32, is competing in his first Olympics as one of 10 U.S. bobsled team members. His road to Salt Lake has taken a few interesting turns. While attending Purdue, the 5'10" 205-pounder developed into a world-class pole-vaulter, soaring as high as 181/2 feet, but just missed qualifying for the 1996 U.S. Olympic team by a few inches.
Doug confided to DC that he ventured to Sydney, Australia to practice chiropractic, but found down under less than inviting on two fronts: First, he was mugged; then he joined a practice as an associate, but felt he was being taken advantage of by the owner-doctor.
Returning stateside with an eye to living the dream of competing in the Olympics, Doug went to New York in 1998 to try out for the U.S. Bobsled Team. His speed and strength were put to the test and not found wanting. Having earned a spot on the four-man bobsledding team, success soon followed. He and teammates Hays, Holcomb and Kohn won the four-man National Sliding Championships in 1998, and the Bobsled National Championships in 1999.
The international scene, of course, is considerably more competitive, but Doug's team has had encouraging results: a 7th-place finish in World Cup competition in Königssee, Germany; a 13th-place finish with Hays, Holcomb and Kohn in the 2000 World Championships; and an 8th and 10th in World Cup competitions at St. Moritz, Switzerland, and LaPlagne, France, respectively.
Doug was named to the U.S. Olympic four-man bobsled team on December 29, 2001 at the third position on the #2 U.S. sled. The countries with a stronger background in bobsledding field two teams. There will be 35 sleds vying for top honors in Salt Lake.
Doug is a member of the Armed Forces' World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), soldier/athletes who are provided with top coaching, training, and sports medicine care, and the chance to compete at competitions around the world. These athletes, however, are subject to foregoing competition to serve their country in time of military need. Doug's bobsled teammate, Michael Kohn, is also in the WCAP.
"It has been very exciting for me to see Doug's skills develop as a bobsledder over the past few years," said Dr. Juehring. "We have always had a strong friendship when he was a student at Palmer that has continued. It is exciting for me to have a fellow chiropractor at the Games, let alone a Palmer graduate, but most importantly, I am excited for Doug as a friend," added Dr. Juehring.
Dr. Sharpe notes that sledding at 90 mph is a little rough on T7-T8. He has sustained no serious injuries, however, but is thankful for the extensive chiropractic care he receives. "I am pretty beat up right now, but I have had great care from fellow chiropractors." Doug thanked Dr. William Erickson, Elizabethtown, KY; Dr. Troy Anderson, Louisville; and Drs. Ray and Kendra (his sister) from Hulbert, Calgary, Manitoba. Dr. Sharpe has also provided care for other Olympic bobsledders from the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
Dr. Sharp will have the support of 10 family members cheering him. "Family support has been phenomenal," he said. "They have believed in my athletic destiny as much as I have."
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
.