How did your arrival go?
Amid the complicated circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to overcome many challenges—such as undergoing half a dozen PCR tests in less than two weeks—just to have the chance to enter the Olympic Village, a true open-air bubble!
A few days after we arrived, we had the opportunity to take part in the opening ceremony, which was an unforgettable experience both in terms of the diversity of the people there and the organization itself.
What was daily life like?
During the Olympics, we had to plan our days outside of competition, with the schedule including: daily physical therapy sessions, the gym, rest, walks, and visits to other events.
Despite health restrictions and the many close contacts or positive cases, it was still possible to interact with athletes, coaches, and volunteers from other nations. Since pin trading had become a common practice in the Olympic Village, conversations flowed naturally.
How did you handle the pressure of competition?
Each nation stayed in its own building, which created a real sense of friendly rivalry. Every team supported the others, and when a medal was won, the entire group felt like a winner.
On a professional level, the tension was palpable; every treatment could, in one way or another, influence the work the athlete had put in over the past four years. Every victory was celebrated by the entire team, but every defeat was interpreted individually based on each athlete’s personality. So we had to adapt on a daily basis depending on the results and the athletes’ personalities, even to the point of respecting their wish to be left alone if they wanted it.
What stands out to you from this fabulous experience?
If we could highlight two things:
1) It was primarily a human experience.
2) A unique event that even made us forget which country we were in.
Would you like to share a message?
We’d like to thank our respective delegations—French and Swiss—every member of the staff, the entire administrative team at Hôpital de La Tour, senior management, the teams at the COVID-19 testing center and the emergency department, our colleagues, athletes, and volunteers who made this incredible experience possible—one that will stay with us forever!