Experienced physiotherapist, James Goodwin, from Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, has been invited by the Swiss Olympic Rowing team to help prepare its athletes ahead of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics next week (commencing Friday 26th July).
Having worked to prepare the GB rowing team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, James, who works for Practice Plus Group at its MSK and Diagnostics Centre in Cressex, High Wycombe, has been helping the Swiss team with their strength and conditioning and physiological testing for the past seven years, to ensure they are at their peak for the Paris Olympics this month.
As well as treating patients for physiotherapy at the Practice Plus Group centre in High Wycombe, James has also been travelling regularly to the Swiss training centre in Sarnen, near Lucerne, in Switzerland – attending sessions every two weeks for four days at a time to prepare the squad for the prestigious competition.
Although heavily involved in the Swiss team’s training preparations, James is unable to attend the Olympics in person as his partner is expecting a baby any day! It’s not the first Olympics he has missed out on, as due to COVID restrictions in 2021, James was unable to travel to the Olympic village in Tokyo to support the GB team in-person.
James, who qualified as a physio at the Buckinghamshire New University, says: “Having the opportunity to work with Olympic level athletes as a physio is a real honour. Understanding what the body is capable of at peak fitness is one of my passions so it has been amazing to work with the Swiss rowing team ahead of the Paris Olympics. I’ve been able to take some of the learnings from my role at the Practice Plus Group MSK and Diagnostics Centre where I work and often treat patients who may be suffering with joint pain – particularly in knees or hips – as well as those recovering from accidents or sports injuries. I will be following the Paris Olympics closely and cheering on all athletes as they put their bodies through rigorous competitive conditions and wish all competitors the best of luck!”
Practice Plus Group MSK and Diagnostics Centre works across nine* locations in existing health centres and hospitals across the county. It offers accessible and convenient diagnostic and treatment services including MRI scans, Ultrasound, X-rays and physiotherapy support for NHS patients, helping to reduce waiting lists locally, as well as private patients who choose Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group. Wellsoon is a more affordable self-pay option with treatment available in 4-6 weeks.
