Dr. Jason Zaremski, a pivotal member of the medical team supporting Team USA at the Paris Olympics, calls his involvement "the ultimate professional honor of my career." As the 2024 Olympic Games draw near, a group of 58 healthcare professionals, including Dr. Zaremski, is committed to helping the athletes achieve their best and bring home gold.

As Team USA's athletes strive for gold, numerous medical experts, including several from Florida, are preparing to assist the team in any way possible. This year, over 850 athletes will represent Team USA, supported by a diverse team of sports medicine doctors, mental health specialists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers.

“It’s probably the ultimate professional honor of my career to contribute in some way to Team USA’s success,” said Dr. Jason Zaremski, the chief of the Sports Medicine Division in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Florida. Dr. Zaremski is one of three Central Florida healthcare experts listed on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s website as part of Team USA’s medical staff.

Common Olympic Injuries

Dr. Jason Zaremski, a clinical associate professor at the University of Florida, serves as the chief of the Sports Medicine Division. During the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, a study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that 1,035 out of 11,000 athletes were injured, and 438 fell ill.

Boxing had the highest injury rate at 27%, followed by BMX freestyle, skateboarding, karate, and handball. Diving, road cycling, rowing, marathon swimming, and shooting had the lowest injury rates. COVID-19 accounted for 4% of illnesses, while exertional heat-related sickness was the most common at 18%. Tokyo's high temperatures and humidity contributed to these conditions.

Concerns about heat in Paris have prompted preparations, especially after 2023's intense heat waves in Europe. While southern Europe has seen temperatures over 100 degrees, Paris has remained cooler, with forecasts predicting highs in the mid-70s to low 80s during the Games.

How The Medical Team Supports Team USA

The Team USA medical team will establish its own clinic, working in 12-hour shifts and remaining on call 24/7. Dr. Zaremski and his colleagues are reviewing historical medical data to prepare for common issues faced by athletes, including respiratory, sleep, and gastrointestinal problems, as well as frequent injuries like bone fractures.

“Lower-extremity injuries, such as those to feet, ankles, and knees, are more common than upper-extremity injuries,” Zaremski explained. The team must also be familiar with local hospitals, emergency contacts, translators, and the medications approved by U.S. and World Anti-Doping agencies.

Traveling to Paris for the Games is a thrilling prospect for Dr. Zaremski, but for now, he remains focused on his responsibilities to ensure Team USA's success.

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