28 Jul 2016

Government official unveils IOC accreditation plaque at National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine

A special plaque was unveiled this week at the  based at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é by Andrew Honeyman, Head of Olympic and Paralympic Legacy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

In terms of the IOC remit, the NCSEM, which also has hubs in  and , will research, develop and implement effective prevention and treatment strategies for sports-related injuries and health problems over the next four years. The NCSEM joins an international network of expert scientists and clinicians who will be able to focus their efforts on research which optimises the health of athletes.

The plaque unveiling on Tuesday (26 July) followed an introduction by Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching Professor Morag Bell and Professor Mark Lewis, NCSEM Operations Director, in front of an invited audience from sporting bodies and the wider NCSEM network. Also giving presentations on the day were Professor Elizabeth Goyder on the research happening in the Sheffield consortium and Dr Akbar de Medici, who gave an update on the activities in London.

Dr UÄŸur Erdener, IOC Medical Commission Chair and Executive Board member, said: “We are delighted to have appointed nine highly qualified centres from the four corners of the world to assist us with our mission.

“These centres have all demonstrated that they are at the forefront of research in sports medicine and are committed to our shared goal of using knowledge and resources to ensure the athletes’ wellbeing so that sportsmen and women can perform at their best level with minimal risks to their health.”

Professor Mark Lewis, who is also Dean of Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é’s , said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the NCSEM. As a London 2012 Olympic legacy, research surrounding athlete health is one of our key areas of work. To be recognised for this research so early on is a reflection of the calibre of our members; the researchers, universities, trusts and collaborators. This accreditation will allow us to build on what we already do and to extend and further develop our research activities.”