Games team’s chief medic

• Published date: 29 September 2022
• Publication title: Mountain Scene

Dr Sarah Beable, a sport and exercise physician at the local Axis Sports Medicine Clinic, was co-lead of the NZ health team which comprised seven doctors, five physios, three massage therapists and a nurse, who in turn looked after 400-plus athletes and staff

She was also the COVID liaison officer, making sure everyone had a negative COVID test before entering the Games villages.

Beable says while she was very busy — commonly surviving on four to five hours’ sleep — it was also very rewarding.

‘‘It was our best-performing away Games and also, from a health point of view, there were just some really cool outcomes.

‘‘The team put a major emphasis on everyone’s health and wellbeing, including the staff, and I think it’s probably reflected in the results, too.’’

Beable, who also worked at the Glasgow and Gold Coast Comm Games and the Rio Olympics, says her role started months beforehand.

‘‘We do a health evaluation of every athlete that’s going, and that includes a mental health/wellness check, and also drug-free education, so we already have a handle on these people when they turn up.

‘‘The biggest spike is the two days before the opening ceremony, when they come in and have maybe picked up a...