Strong medical presence

The 1400 officials and competitors at the World Deaf Games will be well attended by a large group of medical doctors, St John Ambulance officers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and masseurs.

As well as attending to the day-to-day medical matters of the Games, drug and gender tests will also be a part of the workload.

The same drug doping tests and procedures used in the Seoul Olympic Games will be used, and female competitors will be asked to present gender verification certificates.

Medical stations will be staffed at each venue during the times of the competition and include first aid services for the competitors and the spectators.

St John Ambulance officers will be in attendance and a medical doctor will either be in attendance or on immediate call by telephone or beeper.

Dr Richard Edmond is the director of medical and paramedical services. Dr Rob Campbell is the director of dope testing.

Merivale Mall has set up an information centre during the Games. Being situated away from the Games venue and the accommodation, it is designed to keep people informed who might not otherwise be involved with the big event.

As well as showing what events are on, where the venues are and the countries competing, it is anticipated that the information centre will keep patrons informed of outstanding performances and medal tallies.