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THE F`d`ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has selected Dr Celeste Geertsema, sports medicine physician at Aspetar, Qatar's orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, to be a FIFA venue medical officer for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
From June 8 until July 8, 2018, Dr Geertsema will provide medical care for the FIFA delegation and oversee the medical facilities and doping control process.
This selection makes Dr Geertsema the first female FIFA venue medical officer at a FIFA World Cup tournament. Previously, Dr Geertsema became the first-ever female team physician at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, when she went there as part of the New Zealand national team delegation. She was also selected as the FIFA venue medical officer at the 2011 and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cups and FIFA general medical officer for the Under-17 Women's World Cups in 2012, 2014 and 2016. More recently, she was a Games Group member at the Pyeong Chang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, responsible for protecting the athletes' health.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Geertsema said:"This appointment represents further proof, if any was needed, that Aspetar employs some of the best specialised sports medicine practitioners and researchers in the world. Providing such a broad and distinguished roster of talent under one roof is unique and makes Aspetar one of the leading sports medicine institutions in the Middle East, if not the world."
Exposing Aspetar staff to such events equips them with unparalleled experience in servicing major events, which is particularly important for Qatar as the country readies itself to host the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships Doha 2019 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Similarly, representing Aspetar's business and its expertise at major international sports events helps to expand the hospital's network and cement its reputation as a FIFA and International Olympic Committee (IOC)-accredited Research Centre of Excellence. This falls in line with the hospital's vision of becoming a global leader in sports medicine and exercise science by 2020. (TNN)
