Culver City News
Soccer and medicine have taken Santa Monica-based Dr. Bert Mandelbaum all
over the world. His latest stop is sunny Río De Janeiro, Brazil
(although in Río it’s winter) the site of the 2016 Summer
Olympic Games.
As the FIFA (Federation Nacional de Football) medical officer overseeing
the medical matters for the men’s and women’s Olympic soccer
tournament, Mandelbaum’s duties include oversight for prevention
protocols, team preparation and injuries, including concussions and doping control.
An orthopedic surgeon at the Santa Monica Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Group in Santa Monica, Mandelbaum was the chief doctor for the 2014 World
Cup, also held in Brazil.
The doctor says this year’s Olympic and prior World Cup experience
has also enriched his approach to medicine in his own practice. “My
role in international sports competition has given me a large breath of
experience and respect for the safety and health of all athletes. With
each experience it fortifies my desire to optimize all levels of care,”
he said from Río during the final week of the Olympics.
“Our focus is to be athlete and patient-centric at all times, always
leading through prevention, optimizing performance and preventing and
treating injury or illness. To work in the world's largest stage for
athletics I am always reminded of the most important concept that is one
world and one medical team,” the doctor continued. “Utilizing
these concepts within our group is very essential for athletic medicine
practice at all levels from the youth, Special Olympics, and to the elite
and professional.”
Mandelbaum and those who were fortunate to be part of this year’s
Olympic Games have been witness to several record-breaking feats as well
as another international first— but this one was as much of a humanitarian
story as it was a sports story.
At an Aug. 10 United Nations Assn. of the USA event in Century City, United
Nations Secretary General Ban KI-moon noted that the International Olympic
Committee allowed a team of refugees to compete for the first time in
the history of the Games.
“They all received a standing ovation at the opening ceremonies,”
said Ki-moon, who was in Río or the first few days of the Olympic
Games. Whether they earn medals or not, they are already winners,”
Ki-Moon said.
In additional, a record 43 gay and lesbian athletes competed with their
straight counterparts.
Although it was a major concern since its outbreak in Brazil in April last
year, the Zika virus apparently did not overshadow the Games, as some
suspected it might.
“Zika was a concern for all medical personnel, [World Health Organization
and Center for Disease Control and Prevention] officials. It is certainly
a public health concern with new cases in many countries including the
recent ones in Florida,” Mandelbaum noted. “ Here in Brazil
there are always concerns for contracting dengue, yellow fever, Chikungunya
as well as Zika that are transmitted by mosquitos. Our medical vigilance
is focused on eradication, spread of disease to women in the midst of
child bearing, prevention and education.
“We are fortunate that it was winter here in Río so it [has
been} 68F degrees and windy and not mosquito season,” he added.
“The IOC education program is extensive with mosquito spray and
condoms being provided to all of the athletes.
”Mandelbaum thinks other medical professionals can learn something
from their colleagues who have been involved international activities.
“My international experiences have given a deeper understanding and
appreciation of world sports competition. I truly have realized that the
sport of life in the life of sport or interlinked. These games are a gift
and continue to teach us that is about taking part and not the win, the
process over the outcome, and the journey over the destination,”
he said. “Once again, we learn the importance of competing, collaborating
and serving this tremendous event on the world stage.
When the final chapter of the Summer Olympics in Río is written
as the sun sets on the international competition until 2020, Mandelbaum
thinks it will be more than just the Zika virus, green water and the world
records that were shattered.
“The main legacy of these Olympic Games will be the proud culture
and passion of the Brazilian people. They are kind, giving, supportive,
and proud of their country. I have immense gratitude in spite of significant
political economic challenges for the organizers and volunteers that have
pushed on to make these very successful games,” he concluded. “In
fact, I say this is a great prescription for humanity, at a time where
we are confronted with violence, terrorism and political unrest, we are
comforted by these Olympic Games.
“We learn once again basic Olympic credos, which are the gift to
our human world at this time.”