Behind every great athlete that reaches the pinnacle of sport at a Major Games, there is a dedicated team of professionals that ensure athletes are able to perform at their best. Working behind the scenes across many sports disciplines, Certified Athletic Therapists are an important part of keeping athletes healthy.
Working at a Major Games is a career goal for many Certified ATs. One way this can happen is by being a part of the Core Medical team. These teams are made up of integrated health professionals who work together to prevent and treat injuries and keep Canadian athletes at the top of their game. When serving in this role, Certified ATs may work with athletes in a variety of sports. Other Certified ATs will join the Games alongside their specific teams and work directly with them throughout the competition.
We spoke to two Certified ATs about their journey and experiences working at a Major Games, Khatija Westbrook and Schad Richea.
Khatija, a dedicated Certified AT, Associate Professor and physiotherapist, has a rich background in athletics. While pursuing her Physical Therapy degree, her passion for sports medicine inspired her to take a role as a student therapist. This experience ultimately brought her to the National Women’s Field Hockey Program, where she worked with the team through the season and competitive schedule. She supported the field hockey team in their bid for glory in the 1999 Pan Am American Games in Winnipeg, and her commitment and expertise caught the attention of Core Medical. She has now worked several Major Games around the world.
The fast paced, high energy environment is what Khatija loves most about working Major Games. She explains the twelve to sixteen hour shifts that involve “lots of creative problem solving,” and emphasize the importance of pacing yourself, especially if you are selected as part of the Core Team. Maintaining pace ensures that “you have as much energy on day one, as you do on day fourteen”, Khatija explains, which can help keep Certified ATs fresh and ready to help athletes through the competition.
Schad followed a more unconventional path to a Major Games. Over the course of his twenty-five year career as a Certified AT, Schad worked across multiple levels and types of sport, but his dream of going to the Olympics has always been a career goal.
“This was my 25th year as a Certified AT, and I think I had applied for the Olympics at least 15 of those years,” Schad explains. His Olympic journey began after being accepted as Lead Certified AT for Volleyball Canada’s Senior Men's Indoor Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
After following the Men’s Volleyball National team all over the world in summer tournaments, Schad’s final stop was the 2024 Paris Olympics. “I am very proud of the fact that after the long wait, I was able to accomplish that career goal.”
As a dedicated team therapist at the Olympic Games, Schad highlights the importance of excellent time management. This involves efficiently conducting assessments, treatment and rehabilitation in different time zones among a diverse host of staff often while navigating language barriers. His success in the fast-paced Olympic environment stems from trusting his manual skills when equipment is not so easily accessible and his ability to adapt during ever- changing circumstances. “Injuries are injuries no matter who the athletes are,” he says.
Taking every opportunity to work or volunteer for multi-sport games is a great way to prepare, Schad shared. “These opportunities are unique and being able to navigate through the nuances of multi-sport games with a team is a critical skill.” In the end, hard work pays off, Schad highlights, “and you never know who is watching you and appreciating your skills.”
From collaborating amongst industry professionals to being fully immersed in the high pressure, fast-paced environment, both Schad and Khatija enjoyed every minute of the Major Games experience. “I like to think that most of us Certified ATs are cut from a similar cloth and have the necessary skills to work in this kind of high pressure environment,” Schad shares.
As indispensable members of any Major Games wellness team, Certified ATs possess the adaptability and extensive expertise that allows them to respond effectively to the dynamic needs of athletes. Being selected to go to a Major Games as a Certified AT is no easy feat, and opportunities can often come unexpectedly. When they arise, Khatija says, it is essential to seize the moment and excel in your role. Most importantly, she shares, “enjoy the experience– after all, you never know if or when you will be selected again.”
For information on upcoming Games and resources, interested Certified ATs can visit Major Games Canada. Calls for Certified ATs to apply for Major Games are shared to the membership as they are released by Major Games Canada.
To learn more about the experiences other Certified ATs have had at Major Games, check out this insider look on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from an Athletic Therapist or read about Celebrating Athletic Therapy at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
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