We’re excited to announce that Summer 2024 has been designated as the *official* Summer of Champions. Well+Good is proud to highlight the extraordinary athletes, coaches, and narratives surrounding the Paris Olympics and the U.S. Open tennis championships. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the fitness regimens and self-care practices of today’s top athletes, along with the broader cultural discussions inspired by this year’s incredible events.
Every few years, athletes from all corners of the world gather at the Olympics to showcase their skills and compete for the title of the best of the best. In addition to the rigorous training these athletes undertake to perfect their craft, they also prioritize their health and well-being to ensure peak performance. Team USA’s team of trainers and doctors play a vital role in keeping Olympians in top shape during the Games.
Dr. Brian Krabak, a sports medicine physician based in Seattle and affiliated with the University of Washington, has been working with Team USA since 2002 as a general practitioner. He is set to make his fourth Olympic appearance this year in Paris, where he will be exclusively working with the U.S. swim team to ensure their health and performance in and out of the pool.
Dr. Krabak offers us an insider’s look at life as a doctor for Olympians, detailing his journey to becoming part of the esteemed team and giving us a glimpse into the day-to-day responsibilities of his role at the Games.
Want to know how doctors are selected to work with Olympians? Dr. Krabak’s journey began while he was practicing sports medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Recognizing the potential in the world of swimming and the emerging star Michael Phelps, Dr. Krabak applied to be a doctor for Team USA. He was eventually selected to travel with the team to swimming invitational events in California, which served as a stepping stone to his prestigious position with the U.S. swim team at the Olympic Games.
Becoming a doctor for Olympians is a highly competitive process, akin to the Olympic trials themselves. Doctors must apply through the USOPC’s sports medicine volunteer program, undergo extensive training, provide care at qualifier events, and exhibit expertise in their respective sports. Dr. Krabak emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique demands of each sport in order to provide top-notch care to the athletes.
At the Games, a typical day for a doctor involves early mornings at the pool sessions, monitoring athletes’ health and well-being, collaborating with other medical professionals and coaches, and providing comprehensive care to ensure peak performance. Dr. Krabak stresses the significance of self-care for doctors, highlighting the need to prioritize their own health and well-being in order to care for the athletes effectively.
Despite their extraordinary talents, Dr. Krabak reminds us that athletes are just like us—they enjoy downtime, play video games, and bond with their teammates. He emphasizes that these world-class athletes follow similar health and wellness principles that we should all strive to embody in our daily lives.
As we gear up for the Summer of Champions in 2024, let’s celebrate the dedication, skill, and camaraderie of the athletes and medical professionals who make the Games possible!
