Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC’s club doctor and a Skye-based sports science expert are heading to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games.
Dr Jonathan Hanson and Dr Derick Macleod have been chosen to join Team GB’s medical team for the global event in Brazil next month.
They will primarily be based at the Olympic Village in Barra de Tijuca, as members of a group of 44 experienced health professionals from all parts of Team GB.
Dr Macleod is a Culloden-based GP, who has been the football club’s doctor since the early 1990s, and has worked with cycling’s Team Sky in recent years.
Dr Hanson is a qualified consultant in sport and exercise medicine – one of only three in Scotland – and works part-time as a rural practitioner in Broadford on the isle of Skye.
He combines his time in Broadford with working at the sportscotland institute in Stirling and for Scottish Rugby.
He said: “Derick and I are extremely proud to be selected, but most importantly the complete focus should be on our Team GB athletes.
“It’s great for sport and exercise medicine in the north of Scotland that we are both supporting Team GB athletes to be the best they can be.
“We all have specific roles depending on our skills and background. For my role, working in a busy rural emergency environment has provided me with valuable experience that will help me and the team cope with any situation that arises.
“It has been a comprehensive selection process and we’ve been well prepared by Team GB and supported by NHS Highland colleagues.”
NHS Highland chief executive Elaine Mead said: “We are extremely proud that these two talented and dedicated experts from NHS Highland have been selected to support our Olympic athletes in Brazil.
“Their participation with Team GB, alongside their professional relationships with Scottish Rugby, Team Sky and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, highlights that not only are the Highlands a beautiful place to work, but our staff hold prestigious positions.
“This shows that working in the north of Scotland provides outstanding career opportunities and development.
“We wish them and all of Team GB’s athletes the very best of luck for the Olympic Games this summer.”
