Feb. 3, 2010
*By Neal Ruhl A lifetime of work is the price paid to be a United States Olympic champion. The results of that work will be on display for every athlete next month at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The man that will oversee the health and well being for over 200 of those gold medal hopefuls comes directly from Oakland University.
Dr. James Moeller, the Head Team Physician for Oakland University, has been named Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The athletes are not the only ones who pay a price to get to the Olympics however, Dr. Moeller had to work his way up the ladder as well. "I had to work a lot of non-Olympic events before I was called on for this honor," said Dr. Moeller. "You really do pay your dues."
Paying dues for Dr. Moeller included serving as the U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team doctor at the 2006 games in Torino, Italy. While the Speed Skating Team escaped with no major injuries, Dr. Moeller lended his expertise maybe to the biggest story of the Games in Torino. "I was involved with the whole Michelle Kwan thing," said Dr. Moeller, in reference to diagnosing figure skater and medal favorite Michelle Kwan's groin injury that would end her gold medal hopes. "That was tough."
It was situations like those that would prove Dr. Moeller's mettle and that he was ready to be the Chief Medical Officer.
"They want to see how well you do in the pressure cooker," said Dr. Moeller. "How well you handle tough situations."
The toughest situation however is the one Dr. Moeller is looking forward to the most. "I am looking forward to going into a hostile environment," said Dr. Moeller. "People say it's only Canada, but the fact is you are on foreign soil and it's a great feeling to face that situation in a hostile environment and succeed."
According to Dr. Moeller, the best feeling of all comes at the opening ceremonies.
"When you walk out there and the national anthem is going, you really do swell up with pride."
That pride is something Golden Grizzlies everywhere can share in this Olympics.
To follow Dr. Moeller's blog at the Winter Games, please click here.
