Editor’s note: Ira Shapiro, DC, director of the Plaza Chiropractic Center in Old Bridge, N.J., was one of two chiropractors on the official Olympic medical team in Torino, Italy, in February. He shared his experiences with readers of Chiropractic Economics. Jeffrey Solomon, DC, from Miami, Fl., was the other chiropractor on the medical team. His experiences with readers, earlier published online at ChiroEco.com, can be accessed at http://www.ChiroEco.com/history. Look for “Life at the 2006 Winter Olympics” in the BONUS section.

Behind the Olympic glory
By Ira Shapiro, DC

“Check your ego at the door.”

Left to right: Sasha Cohen, Dr. Shapiro

For nearly one full month in February, that was the one unwavering mantra that every member of the United States Olympic medical staff followed throughout the games held in Torino, Italy. 

In every sense, we were a team — a team dedicated to the success of every American athlete who trained so hard and sacrificed so much to earn the right to represent the United States at the world’s greatest international competition.

As a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic medical staff, including the Summer Olympics of 2004 and the 2006 Winter Olympics, I was not only awarded the honor to represent our country, but the privilege to experience the games through the eyes, thoughts and emotions of more than 750 American athletes, coaches, trainers and medical personnel attending the games.

It’s an amazing harmonizing feeling that could never be captured by even the most ardent television follower.

Left to Right: Tanith Belbin, Dr. Shapiro, Ben Agosto

Trust me, you will meet few individuals, who are more passionate about winning or supportive of the efforts of everyone involved.

I know this for a fact since I lived with these individuals for four weeks in a six-floor, two-building apartment complex that housed most of our American team participating in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

You truly can not imagine the amazement of watching film and talking hockey strategy with roommates such as Paul Holmgren, former NHL hockey player, coach and current associate general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers or Keith Allain, a coach for the St. Louis Blues. Or, the thrill of receiving tickets from American gold medalist Eric Heiden so that I could attend the speed skating event with ice-dancing silver medalists skaters Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.

However, despite the thrills and the camaraderie, the pressure is also on from the moment you step off the plane. Throughout the Olympics there is only one goal — help our athletes win. As only the ninth chiropractor ever chosen to the medical staff of a U.S. Olympic team this means I worked from dawn to night with any or all the athletes to treat injuries ranging from sprains to bruises, or if need be, even carry towels or ice to help the other doctors.

Left to right: Michele Kwan, Dr. Shapiro

No. The experience was not all glamour. But, there were numerous rewarding moments. As Pete Fensen, skipper of the only American curling team to ever win an Olympic medal said to me, “Without the constant chiropractic care I received from you, there is no way we could have competed at this level and won.” 

Left to right: Chad Hedrick, Dr. Shapiro

In addition, I need to thank the U.S. Olympic Committee and everyone associated with our Olympic effort for the honor of representing this country on behalf of my profession. I could not have been treated better, offered more respect or made to feel safer on foreign soil. 

And through it all, there was the constant revelation that these are quite simply ordinary people who can just do extraordinary things. Also unforgettable will forever be the grace, style and courtesy all these individuals exhibited before, during and after their respective events. This to me will always be even more memorable than the trip or events themselves.