| International Report (October 2004) |
Dear USSCF Members: In working on the Board of Directors of the Federation Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport (FICS), there are important resolutions made by this organization that affect us as Sports Chiropractors within the United States. The first of these came about as a result of the trade marking of the “CCSP/DACBSP” certifications by the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians. At one time the CCSP Certification was the most widely recognized Sports Chiropractic certification in the world. Because these certifications are now restricted for use only in America, Sports Chiropractors from other countries have now substituted a certification that is universally recognized as a minimal level of competence in Sports Chiropractic. FICS through Murdoch University in Perth, Australia have developed and market the International Chiropractic Sports Science Diploma (ICSSD). It is critically important that you realize US Sports Chiropractors must now attain the ICSSD diploma to be considered for selection to all FICS sanctioned events. Specific information regarding attaining this designation is available on-line at our web site (usscf.com) or by e-mailing me. While there are no current plans to produce an ICSSD educational program within the United States. The FICS Educational Commission continues dialogue with NWHS University and Cleveland College concerning a future program. There are educational programs available in Europe and Canada for those who wish to travel to these destinations for the ICSSD diploma. Here is a listing of the future sites: Bournemouth, England: January 6-9, 2005 Upper Extremity There are two more dates in Canada and Greece to be announced at a later date within the 2005 calendar year. At the last Annual General Meeting of FICS, the board of directors has implemented an Olympic Athletes Commission to expressly work with FICS, the IOC and the World Olympians Association. This commission is made of Olympic athletes who are also Chiropractors. The purpose of this commission is to promote the use of Chiropractic services at all IOC sanctioned events to the International Olympic Commission and to be a liaison to the World Olympians Association. The Committee Chairmen are Drs. Terry Schroeder and James Wooley. Dr. Schroeder is a Palmer West graduate and 4 time Olympian. Dr. Wooley is Palmer East graduate and 3 time Olympian. Both of these doctors have incredible credentials and will represent this commission extremely well. This commission will take the place of Dr. Tom Hyde and Jose Rodriquez as liaison with the World Olympians Association. I would like to recognize the hard work of Dr. Hyde and Mr. Rodriguez in establishing and maintaining the ongoing relationship between FICS and the World Olympians Association. The World Olympians Association invited FICS to assist them in their participation of the Olympic Reunion Center in Athens this last August during the Olympic Summer Games. FICS selected 12 members to participate at this venue. Of those 12, four were USSCF members. They were Drs. Sue Bromley, Sherri LaShomb, Mark Hecimovich and Anthony Faro. Through the work of the Greek Chiropractic Association and the Athens Organizing Committee, members of this team were allowed access to the IOC polyclinic on an as needed basis. This marks the first time FICS members have been allowed to work in the IOC Polyclinic. FICS has signed a contract with the Duisberg Organizing Committee of International World Games Association to provide Chiropractic services at the July 14-24, 2005 Games centered in Duisberg, Germany. This event will incorporate over 35 International sports not included in Olympic competition. FICS will select 15 members from its worldwide membership to participate at this venue. This is open to qualified US Sports Chiropractors who are USSCF members and hold an ICSSD diploma. The registration deadline is May 15, 2005. Applications are available on the FICS web site (fics-online.org) FICS is currently negotiating with the Organizing Committee of the Pan American Games to provide chiropractic services at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To date, FICS has sent representatives to participate at a sports marketing and business congress, but we do not have a contract at this point. FICS has recently received another invitation to supply Chiropractic services for the next 2007 All African Games in Algeria. Preparations are currently being made. Please see the USSCF and FICS web sites for further information as it becomes available. I would also like to recognize Drs. Fava and Gambino for their efforts in working with the International Softball Federation (ISF). The ISF is the only International Sports Federation located within the United States. These doctors continue to work tirelessly in representing our profession, the USSCF and FICS. Please help our profession and organization by donating your time through participation at the numerous events the ISF has allowed us to participate. Please review the USSCF web site (usscf.com) for specific dates and locations. I cannot overemphasize the importance of our participation at these events. It gives Sports Chiropractic a tremendous boost in the world of International, National Sports and in the eyes of the International Olympic Commission. It gives you the opportunity to add International event experience to your resume and makes it exponentially simple to qualify for the ICSSD standards. Please consider making a commitment to help. It is a tremendous opportunity to gain great experience and give back to your profession by helping to promote who we are and what we do. The FICS has been headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland since 1998. The General Director of FICS at the last AGM has proposed our offices be moved to a more central location in Lausanne within the future International House of Sport scheduled to be completed in late 2005. Many offices of Olympic International Sports Federations will conduct administrative affairs from this building. Therefore FICS is exploring the potential of relocating in this location. FICS invests substantial time and money in attending International conferences to promote Sports Chiropractic within the International Sports arena. As members of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Council on Sports Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), we participate with these two organizations in promoting our specialty. At this years GAISF conference FICS representatives made presentations to the Federations of the World Games, Tennis, Commonwealth Games, Cycling, Softball, Billiards, Netball and the World Anti-doping Association. At the ICSSPE conference, FICS was invited to have its Annual General Meeting located within the facilities. It was attending by the ICSSPE president, who made a point of expressing her enthusiasm for our specialty of health care. For the first time in the history of ICSSPE, two Chiropractors presented scientific research at the ICSSPE Pre-Olympic Congress. Drs. Scott Patton from the US and Bernd Hillermann from South Africa did an excellent job representing our profession. This is a monumental achievement for Chiropractic within our profession and in the eyes of International Sports. Our congratulations and commendations go out to these two outstanding doctors for their efforts. Thank you for you attention to this important information. Respectfully submitted, Timothy W. Ray, DC |