For Immediate Release

July 7th, 2009
Port Moody BC

Dr. Gary Barone has practised in Port Moody's NewPort Village for 9 years.  He will also be the only Canadian among 35 volunteer chiropractors treating athletes at the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from July 16 to 26.

Dr. Tim Ray, Chair of the FICS (Federation Internationale Chiropratique du Sport) calls these World Games “an historic trip.  In so many ways they will be making the steps through previously closed doors for sports chiropractic, by stepping into a country, a culture, a system of health care largely unfamiliar with chiropractic.”

The World Games is the largest and most important international games after the Olympics, and is organized under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.  

The World Games occurs one year after the Summer Olympics, and features over 30 sports awaiting inclusion in the Olympics.  This year, 3236 athletes from 90 countries will be participating in sports including softball, sumo wrestling, archery and rugby sevens. 

Judging from the 2005 World Games in Duisberg, Germany, the chiropractic team will likely treat up to 200 athletes per day in a multi-disciplinary setting.   For Dr. Barone, this will be the largest world-class event for which he has served in a professional capacity.   The largest to date was the 2008 Subaru Ironman Canada, in Penticton, which had 2200 athletes.

“The greatest thing about sport is that it inspires us to be the best that we can be” says Dr. Barone.  “When you think about it, that is really what health and wellness is all about.”

Chiropractors are becoming viewed as an integral element in sports medicine.  The world of sport is becoming more dependent upon chiropractic to maintain athletes at optimal performance levels.   

“Some chiropractors have inspiring stories about travelling around the world decades ago to support their athletes.  Often they were not allowed past security, but they were so dedicated, they would treat their athletes in hotel rooms and parking lots, or wherever they could.”

Every athlete in the games will now have access to a chiropractor, even athletes from countries where the profession is unknown.  Just as important, the chiropractors will work closely with medical doctors from these countries. 

Closer to home, the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be a momentous occasion for chiropractic.  The 40 chiropractors chosen will be the first ever allowed to volunteer in the Olympic polyclinic with other types of practitioners. 

Dr. Barone is joined in Taiwan by 34 other chiropractors who come from Australia (six), Denmark (two), Italy (one), Germany (six), Japan (one), Malaysia (two), Singapore (one), South Africa (three), Sweden (one), Taiwan (one), the USA (six), the United Arab Emirates (one) and the UK (three).

“At the moment, I am just so fortunate to be invited 'inside the fence' at the World Games.  It is truly an amazing opportunity, and an honour worthy of flying half way around the world."

About Dr. Gary Barone

Gary Barone is a Doctor of Chiropractic and International Chiropractic Sport Science Diplomate. 
He has provided family wellness and sport chiropractic in Port Moody's NewPort Village Chiropractic since 2000. 

Gary Barone, DC, ICSSD
NewPort Village Chiropractic Inc.
Family Wellness and Sport Chiropractic
222 NewPort Drive, Port Moody BC

604-461-2725
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.nvchiro.com

For information on the World Games visit www.worldgames2009.tw
For information on the FICS visit www.fics-online.org
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