He applied to the program in March 2009, and was selected for a two-week training internship at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
“Right now I work with bobsled and skeleton, men and women,” Prikkel said. “This is my third season. I have also worked with U.S. track and field.”
Doctors and trainers work as a team for a specific sport. Prikkel is one of 12 doctors and trainer to serve the bobsled team.
“We do chiropractics, massage therapy and emergency medicine,” Prikkel said. “I have a silliness about me that I try to have with the athletes as well. It is a very serious environment and helps build trust.”
Prikkel works as a chiropractor for The Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center of Dayton, 2301 Far Hills Ave., in Oakwood. He started the practice in 1998, and has been a chiropractor for about 15 years.
He also works with elite runners and professional triathletes who live and train in the Dayton area, collegiate athletes, high school athletes and Irish dancers.
“The time commitment (as part of the Olympic medical team) is three weeks per year. I will be in Lake Placid at the training center starting (in November,)” Prikkel said.
He will also serve two weeks at the bobsled world championships in January 2013 in St. Mortiz, Switzerland.
“The athletes are terrific individuals. They sacrifice a lot to chase that Olympic dream,” Prikkel said. “The off year is when the athletes really have to hone their craft. It’s a multi-year cultivation process. I hope to be with team USA in 2014.”
Prikkel recognizes that his family sacrifices as well, since they are not allowed to travel with him.
“It’s a huge commitment also by my family,” Prikkel said. “My wife is basically a single parent while I’m gone working.”
For more information, go to www.teamusa.org/About-the-USOC/Resources/Sports-Medicine/Volunteer-Program.aspx.
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