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Monday, 29th July 2024

Monasterboice physio Robert Smyth in Paris with team Ireland swimmers

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Robert Smyth, (second from right, back row) with other members of Team Ireland's Physio team in Paris.

Monasterboice physiotherapist Robert Smyth is currently with Team Ireland in Paris where he is helping to get the best performance possible from the country’s Olympic swimmers and hopefully get them on to the medal winner’s podium.

When he got the nod to travel with Team Ireland to the Olympics, Robert said he felt blessed. "It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity” he said, “it was surreal to be asked.”

This privilege was not just gifted to Robert though, he had put in many hours of hard work before being chosen. He built up his physio portfolio with athletes and swimmers in the Sports Institute before being offered the contract. 

“The past two years has been travelling with the team to major competitions and building up rapport with all the athletes. To me, with the work I put in, the call up to the Olympics was a natural progression and luckily enough I was picked to head out with the medical team."

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Physiotherapy has always been a big interest of Robert's, but he said he can’t put his finger on why he was drawn to it.

“I was always huge into sport, my family home growing up was always Gaelic mad. So maybe thinking back, physiotherapy was a ticket for me to get as close to elite level athletics as possible. The Olympics for a sports physio, just like an athlete, is the pinnacle along with a football or rugby world cup."

Smyth pictured in Paris with Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. 

People may be under the impression that his work is only open to a certain type of clientele, but Smyth says that couldn't be further from the truth.

"You don't have to be competing at elite sport, I am open to everyone whether it’s a bit of neck pain or a sports injury."

Robert returns to work in his clinic on August 20th. His business is located in Boyne Business Park and is accessed through the same entrance as Louth Crossfit.

For more information on the new business see www.sportsphysioclinic.ie.

 

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