Better, faster, free medical care for Olympians

Olympic athletes used to speed won’t be disappointed if they need medical treatment during the London Games, organisers say.

The four-story, $36m clinic in the newly built Olympic village should be able to treat up to 200 athletes and team officials every day. The patients will get free, 24-hour treatment from volunteer medical staff using some of the latest equipment like high-tech CT, MRI and X-ray machines.

Experts say they mostly expect to treat minor problems like sprained ankles, strained muscles or minor flu and stomach viruses. Any patients needing serious medical treatment like surgery will be transferred to a local British hospital where emergency treatment is also free.

“The ease of access (at the Olympic clinic) is something you won’t get anywhere in the (National Health System),” said Dr. David Whittington, one of the volunteer doctors who is taking unpaid vacation to help staff the clinic. The facility will be open from mid-July to accommodate athletes arriving ahead of the games’ official start on July 27.