A BARNSLEY man will be part of the medical staff supporting Team GB at the Paris Olympics which start later this month.
Dr Ian Horsley works both for the UK Sports Institute, based in Sheffield, as ‘athlete health lead’, and also as clinical director of Back in Action Rehabilitation in Wakefield.
The 58-year-old, who was brought up in Royston and now lives in Silkstone Common, previously worked with the England rugby union team during the era when they won the World Cup in 2003 and the football team – specifically with the goalkeepers – in the three years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ian – who is due to travel to France on Thursday – has supported Team GB at each of the last four Olympic Games.
“It’s an honour”, said Horsley, who is also an honorary professor at Salford University. He added: “When I was a student, before I qualified, it was my aim to work at the Olympics.
“It took a bit of getting there.
“It’s all about the athletes. If we get them on the podium that is good for us and we have played a small part in their success.”
Ian has to reapply for every Olympics and was pleased to be selected again.
“It’s my fourth but I am just as keen as when I did my first. They are all slightly different.
“Tokyo was very strange because it was during Covid-19. There were less options to fraternise with other teams and make new friends. But it went off really, really well.
“In the three games I have been involved with, each one has surpassed the GB medal tally of the previous one.
“There is a lot of pressure on Paris as the target is 50-70 medals.”
What will his role be in Paris?
“I am part of a team of eight physios and doctors who provide medical support in addition to any medical teams who go out with the individual sports teams.
“Some sports will have physios and doctors with them but others don’t have anyone.
“We help out where needed. We work along with strength and conditioning staff and psychologists – so the whole range of needs is provided for.
“We get to work with sports I don’t regularly work with day to day.”
Horsley is a ‘massive Barnsley FC fan’ and worked with the club including in the season that has just finished.
“I mentored both Sedgy (Craig Sedgwick) and Vikki (Stevens) when they were the physios at Barnsley.
“I am a sounding board for the club when they need someone else’s opinion.
“I was asked to come in for a couple of weeks this summer but it is when I am in Paris. I have a good relationship with the club.”
