Interview with Tokyo Parasports Staff Certifier (17) Track and Field (Intellectual)/Doctor Hiroyuki Sato (2020/3/19)
【profile】
Hiroyuki Sato Born in 1966 in Tokyo.
While being involved in clinical practice and education (training physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) as a rehabilitation specialist and instructor, I also provide medical consultation for the Tokyo team of athletes at the National Sports Championship for the Disabled and the Tokyo Comprehensive Sports Center for the Disabled. He has been in the business for over 10 years and has accompanied the Japan Athletics Federation for People with Intellectual Disabilities to various international competitions as a team doctor.
In addition to the ``trainers'' who take care of the athletes' bodies, there are ``sports doctors'' who are specialists in the athletes' bodies.Both are indispensable in the field of sports, but their roles are generally not well known.This time, we interviewed Hiroyuki Sato, who has been involved in sports for people with disabilities for many years and currently serves as a team doctor for the Japan Athletics Federation for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
It would be great if sports emerged where people of the same physical fitness level compete, regardless of disability, age, or gender.
~Please tell us how you became involved as a sports doctor. ～
My senior colleague at the medical department was providing medical consultation at the Tokyo Comprehensive Sports Center for the Disabled in Oji, and was looking for a successor.Since I was a graduate student at the time and had plenty of time, and because I had worked with many disabled people at the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, I accepted the medical consultation duties at the center, which was my first experience with parasports. It's related to.From there, he was asked to serve as a doctor to accompany the Tokyo team in the National Sports Tournament for the Disabled.
The reason I continue is because I can see the growth of the players.
~What is the role of a sports doctor? ~
At major competitions, both domestic and international, if an accident occurs within the stadium, the first person in charge of first aid is the one set up by the event organizer.The team doctor mainly accompanies the team to tournaments, and their main role is to care for injuries after they return to their dorms, and to respond to players who complain of not feeling well during the tour.
Another major role is to handle medical checks.At international competitions, athletes participating must undergo a medical check.Athletes are asked to submit a health check once a year to check for any problems.If there is a problem, I act as the team doctor and explain it to the Japanese Paralympic Committee (JPC) and the athletes themselves.
~What do you keep in mind when interacting with players? ～
For athletes with intellectual disabilities, it takes time to build relationships.It's difficult to communicate with the players if they don't recognize me, so I try to accompany them not only to tournaments, but also to training grounds and training camps as much as possible so that they can remember my face.I also try to keep an appropriate distance from the players.On the other hand, it is important to closely share information about players with coaches.
~Please let us know if you found anything rewarding or noticed anything while working with the players. ~
As I interact with the players, I see that the young players grow up as they get older, and before I know it, they are married, and those who used to always look away are now taking care of the younger players. I think this is also the power of sports.Maybe it's because I get to see things like that that I'm able to stay involved.
There are times when you have to be honest with your doctor and make decisions.
～What kind of existence do you think “staff” is? ~
The staff thinks "Kuroko" is fine.Situations where the doctor has to be fully present are not very desirable situations.Basically, it's better if nothing happens.However, in the role of a doctor, there are times when you have to hold back when you are asked to make a decision at a tournament or the like.
For example, at the Japan ID Athletics Championships held in Gifu Prefecture in August 2018, long-distance competitions were scheduled for the early afternoon.On the day of the event, the temperature and humidity were high and there was a risk of heat stroke, so the decision to cancel was made after consulting with tournament officials.We explained this decision to the players, coaches, and other related parties, and although it was a pain as some of the players came from far away just for the competition, they all agreed.After all, it's too late once something happens.
～How does it feel to be certified as a “Tokyo Parasports Staff”?Also, please let us know your impressions about this system. ~
Even though I say that I am a team doctor for the Japan Federation of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, there are some aspects that people who are not interested in do not understand unless I explain them in detail. By being certified as a "Tokyo Para Sports Staff", I am now able to convey my thoughts to those around me in an easy-to-understand manner.It's not like we've been involved in this activity with the intention of being publicly visible, but for those of us who have been working diligently, there are also practical benefits, such as being able to gain understanding within the workplace at the same time as the competition.
~Please share your expectations and support for the athletes aiming to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. ~
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is one of the milestones.Nowadays, it's like a festival, with increased exposure on TV and the public, and interest in parasports is increasing. I hope this situation continues even after the "festival" is over.What matters is what happens after 2020 ends.I think the players understand this, but I want them to step up and aim even further without being influenced by the results of 2020.
~If you have any prospects or dreams for the future of parasports, please let us know. ～
I think the framework of ``parasports'' is currently changing.As Japan's population continues to age, the number of people with various types and degrees of disabilities and people with low physical strength will increase.If we separate people in wheelchairs, people with prosthetic legs, and people with visual impairments within the framework of parasports, we may end up with really small groups.Terms such as inclusive sports, adapted sports, and universal sports are being used, and I think that from now on, sports will once again be recognized as sports that anyone can participate in, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.With the exception of some sports, Olympic and Paralympic athletes may not be able to compete together, but people with prosthetic legs and able-bodied people can run together, and people with the same physical fitness level can run together without being separated by disability, age, or gender. I think it would be great if there were sports where people compete together.And I think it would be fun if we could do that.
My Feelings, Then and Now
During his university days, Mr. Sato had the option of becoming a teacher in addition to being a doctor, and he may have become a teacher at the special needs school that the players he is currently involved with attend.She says that no matter which path he chose, he would have had a ``connection'' with parasports.It was clear that the players had complete trust in Mr. Sato, who was friendly with everyone.