Written by Dr Ryan Cevola, D.C. ICSC, Spain
2023 CSIT World Sports Games took place in the beautiful beach town of Cervia, Italy 5-10 September 2023
The 2023 CSIT World Sports Games unfolded in the picturesque beachside haven of Cervia, Italy. After a refreshing flight, we embarked on a one-hour bus journey to our beachfront hotel. There, I rendezvoused with my roommate, Dr. Ray Gaskey, representing the USA, and we relished a delightful dinner at the hotel alongside some of the esteemed FICS team.
Our early arrival on Monday was a unique occurrence, with just five of us touching down, as most sports were slated to commence on Wednesday. Dr. Gaskey and I were entrusted with the exhilarating task of tending to the athletes at the swimming venue. Bright and early on Tuesday, we staked out the perfect spot for our chiropractic tables, bracing ourselves for a day filled with athlete care, beginning at the crack of dawn at 8:30 am.
Our hands were full as we attended to over 50 swimmers throughout the day. After our rewarding yet tiring stint at the event, we retreated to the hotel for a scrumptious dinner and a warm welcome to the rest of the team, who had just arrived. The inaugural team meeting was a bustling gathering, reuniting with familiar faces from past events and making the acquaintance of newcomers. As we discussed the upcoming schedule, we were assigned into 11 teams, each comprising two chiropractors.
Among them was Dr. Tim Ray, serving on the medical commission for CSIT and the FICS chef de mission for this event. Dr. Chris Wood from the UK led our team, while Dr. Shea Stark from the USA took charge of the students who were assisting us doctors with treatment data collection. Dr. Gino Campanelli, hailing from Italy, played a pivotal role by orchestrating the provision of portable chiropractic tables through the Italian Chiropractic Association.
The pinnacle of anticipation arrived on Wednesday with the grand opening ceremony. Dressed in our FICS Sports chiropractic uniforms, we marched in unison with representatives from all nations to the main plaza in town, accompanied by the spirited tunes of a marching band. It was a heartwarming sight to witness our diverse chiropractic team come together as one, uniting under the banner of our profession before dispersing to our respective venues the following day.
During the next few days, I remained stationed at the bustling swimming venue, and with each passing day, the tempo of activity surged. After dedicatedly tending to our athletes, we would reconvene as a team for dinner – a precious opportunity to unwind and swap tales from our day’s exploits. This is a sacred time when we bond over our shared experiences, an inexhaustible well of stories that never ceases to amaze me. Even after 11 years in the chiropractic field, I continue to encounter fresh narratives that inspire and humble me.
Following dinner, we would gather outdoors by the shimmering swimming pool for our team meeting. Here, we hashed out scheduling changes, addressed any challenges, and brainstormed strategies for handling va
rious situations. Once the meeting concluded, some of us would saunter across the street for delectable gelato ice cream and engrossing conversations.
The whirlwind of five days passed in the blink of an eye, and as a team, we tallied nearly 800 recorded treatments. We remained steadfast in our mission: “Every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic.” Regrettably, with over 30 different sports in the mix, we couldn’t cover every event. The need for more chiropractors at these events was apparent, although that decision ultimately rested with the organizers at CSIT, not FICS. Hopefully, our exceptional performance this week will resonate, leading to an increased chiropractic presence at the next CSIT World Sports Games, slated for Greece in 2025.
Amidst the whirlwind of treating athletes, camaraderie with fellow chiropractors, and basking in the seaside ambiance of Cervia, I found immense joy and fulfilment in this experience.
Sharing some of my favourite moments with you.
Yours in Sports Chiropractic Dr Ryan M. Cevola D.C. ICSC
