Doctor Reacts To Olympics Injuries

Listen to my podcast, The Checkup with Doctor Mike, here:

Help us continue the fight against medical misinformation and change the world through charity by becoming a Doctor Mike Resident on Patreon where every month I donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity, organization, or cause of your choice! Residents get access to bonus content, an exclusive discord community, and many other perks for just $10 a month. Become a Resident today:

Let’s connect:

Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens
Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers
Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum
Editor: Juan Carlos Zuniga

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[Tucker-rdtn]

Hi Dr. Mike, I am a pole vaulter, and one of things they told us when we signed up was, this is an extremely dangerous sport and you can die or get seriously injured. That didn't deter us, but it certainly is nerve wracking. The box, which she landed in, is rightfully named the "ankle breaker" in my team, as a wrong shuffle step can make you twist your ankle if you fall in. There is also the potential of being 'rejected' by the pit, in which you are catapulted (by bending the pole) away from the matt (pit) and slammed into the ground, which is an extremely painful and not recommended experience. Thanks for these videos though, I have learned a lot!.

[dustytakitoes]

The way doctor mike said "it was pole on pole violence".I cant😹😸

[Shorts-attention-span]

As someone who is not medically knowledgeable to any degree I agree that getting hurt is bad.

[pedrostormrage]

5:43 "It was pole on pole violence" The sheer number of puns in this episode 😂

[antille]

a winter olympics version of this video would also be very interesting! i mean you could fill a whole video just with alpine ski racing accidents and injuries...

[fellahuman]

Fun fact: when Angelica Bengtsson’s pole broke, a French pole vaulter offered her own pole to her, even though she had yet to compete herself. True sportsmanship right there!

[JennaWallgren]

I feel like it should be mentioned for those who don’t know that Kerri Strug’s coaches are known for their abusive behavior towards their gymnasts. A clip of Kerri’s vault was shown in Simone Biles’ Netflix documentary and every expert interviewed agreed that while it was admirable at the time, it was incredibly dangerous and Bela and Marta absolutely shouldn’t have encouraged Keri to do the second vault. They were putting medals before the health and safety of their athlete.

[EchoDrawsThingss]

I still can’t get over how that girl lands directly on her head and the announcer goes “…oh dear.”

[MissesWitch]

the first girl was literally a ragdoll.. and i love the way he shouted NOOOO when she got up!

[jourdyngroman]

9:19 my poor 7yo son tore his hamstring the day before his first year of little league started this year. he missed the entire season, but he rode the bench like a champ and cheered on his team mates anyway

[Tantejay]

As for the gymnast with the torn ligament: Her trainer was Bela Karoli.

She didn't want to do it - she was in a massive amount of pain, but he forced her to do the second jump. She had a third degree lateral sprain with tendon damage. I don't know how she did the second jump.

It was still the cold war, Karoli defected in the US and their only competitors had been Russia, which he really wanted to best.

In general: The hidden history of gymnastics is die hard abuse, all kinds: sexual, physically and mentally.

The whole branch really needs a thorough audit and a big overhaul in personnel.

[skiesboi]

I just want to talk about the HIV positive athlete in the pool. Maybe you are too young to remember this, but I remember when Princess Diana held an AIDS patient, and the world lost its collective mind because everyone was so terrified by how contagious the disease was. We've come a long way since then in understanding HIV/AIDS

[sassbrat]

Derek Redmond said that that race was his last ever no matter what the outcome. I also recall that he had been struggling with that leg for some time and the injury he had gotten during that race was just him reinjuring or doing something to an old injury. He didn't want his last race to be an unfinished by him giving up. When his father came down to help him he was pushed away by the officials but his dad said go away this is my son. Later in an interview the dad said that they had started his career together they were gonna finish it together. It wasn't about winning or losing but about finishing and proving your point and will to fight on. His dad at the last few feet let go of his son so that he could finish by himself. While that race was classified as a dq or DNF due to his dad helping him, Derek won the hearts of everyone even his opponents for his will to get up and finish what he started. That moment and event is what many thing as one of the top 10 events in modern day. As well as been a inspiration for many athletes in all sports about not giving up even when you know you will not win.

[Gooniegirl]

I remember watching live Kerri Strug winning the Gold for USA. Looking back on it now, she definitely was forced into finishing due to the leadership at the time. But, damn, that was crazy watching it live.

Also, my mother's side of the family was friends with Greg Louganis during her childhood. She distinctly remembers watching his accident happen in the whole family freaking out.

Another one you could examine is Dominique Moceanu at the 1996 Olympics on beam. She falls straight on her neck.

[kathigh]

0:28 “oh dear” great commentary. Couldnt have said it better myself.

[RILDIGITAL]

It's heartrending to see these athletes get hurt but their determination and resilience are truly inspiring.

[DogParadise]

I love how Dr. Mike says “don’t do this stuff ever” or something like that but yet he boxes it just cracks me up😂

[shawngross]

I had such a crush on Greg Louganis as a teen, starting with the 1984 LA Olympics. What a graceful, amazing talent! Every time I see the video of him hitting his head on the board in 1988, it hurts. A positive HIV status was a huge deal and a death sentence in 1988. I am so glad that Mr Louganis is still alive and kicking. Much respect.

[JustEmMa]

I’m a gymnast, and it’s such a dangerous sport we do. Even though I still do the same sport as them, it still shocks me.

[BobAlot_]

"Pole on pole violence" is crazy Doctor Mike😭🙏