The meet is the dream of Tracy Sundlun, executive director of the Metropolitan Athletics Congress (MAC). I am a vice president of MAC and chair of MAC's Sports Medicine Committee. I was appointed medical director of the National Scholastic three years ago by Mr. Sundlun. He has also appointed me medical director of the 1990 U.S. Cross Country Championships and the upcoming U.S./Mobile Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Recently, Mr. Sundlun received an award from the ACA Sports Council at their convention in San Diego for "his pioneering contributions towards the inclusion of chiropractic care in Olympic and athletics events internationally."
When I arrived at the stadium on the day of the track meet, the stadium was covered with pro-chiropractic slogans such as, "Gain the Competitive Edge with Chiropractic," and "See Your Chiropractor Today." All the runners wore shirts and numbers that said Team Chiro. How often do you see pro-chiropractic slogans at a nationally televised event? It was exciting.
Later on in the day, ESPN interviewed me as medical director of the meet. I understand that this is the first time ESPN has interviewed a chiropractic doctor during prime time and the first time they have interviewed the medical director of any athletic event they have covered.
On May 11, the Nationals Scholastic was broadcast on ESPN. During the broadcast, ESPN showed a section of the beginning of a race where some runners fell at the start. The announcer talked about the injuries and then showed one of our five staff chiropractors, Dr. Michael Minardo of Staten Island, tending to the fallen runner. The short interview with me was then shown with Dr. Minardo in the background treating another athlete.
There were also pro-chiropractic commercials from Team Chiro with a number for athletes to call for referral to sports chiropractors. ACA's public service announcement about the hazards of steroids use was also shown.
I am proud to be a part of another positive exposure for the chiropractic profession.
Stephen M. Perle, D.C., C.C.S.P.
New York, New York
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