Going to the Olympics was never my intention or goal when I sent that first email to Canada Skateboard in the summer of 2022. I was merely interested in getting involved with them and helping their athletes. I had no idea at that time where that four sentence email would lead me in just two years time.
Enter Fay de Fazio Ebert. I first met Fay in August of 2022 and was asked to help her with a severely sprained ankle. At that time she was 12 years old, and had never seen any physical therapist of any kind. The day I met her she was riding a bowl for the first time in two weeks, with an ankle brace on and still launching 3 feet above the coping and doing tricks that most adult skateboarders weren’t even considering. She was clearly a cut above, and at this point was still injured. I was pretty sure I had gotten in way over my head, seeing as I was not really a skateboarder at all, but loved watching it, and was fascinated by the tricks that could be done.
24 months later and I was off to the Olympics as Fay’s personal chiropractor as part of Canada Skateboard. I am still amazed at what has transpired in that short time.
For the last 8 months there has been an ongoing build towards the Paris 2024 Olympics with a focus on the qualifying rounds and making sure that Fay got enough points to qualify her spot in Paris. There were some ups and downs and also some very tense moments in the last round of competition where a foot injury had her simply trying to complete a run to get just enough points to get her to Paris. Fay gutted it out and secured her spot in the final round of qualifying events in Budapest.
My time in France was broken down into two parts with the first week being a training camp in the small beach town of Capbreton and the second week being in Paris for the big show.
After a flight to Paris and then a Flight to Bordeaux I met up with Fay’s coach Adam Hopkins and we picked Fay and her mom Liz at the train station in Bordeaux and headed south. Our hotel was right on the beach and amazing food was served daily. The goal being relaxation, focus and a training camp for Fay at the skatepark in Capbreton as well as in the nearby town of Pau.
Days started with a spin on the stationary bike and then stretching for 30-45min and then breakfast. For a teenager Fay was a trooper and got up without protest each morning to get in her cardio and mobility. We would then go to the skatepark where Hopkins would take over and Liz and I would usually go wander around the towns. Thankfully I wasn’t needed for any emergencies over the training week, though I was continually on high alert and prepared for the worst. Watching park skateboarders is a bit harrowing as then continually fall from 10 plus feel in the air above nothing but concrete. They are like cats and find a way to spin in the air and slide down on their knees. After a while it just seemed normal and my immediate reaction to jump and see if she was alright after each bail subsided.
Training went well with tricks like a kick indie air, or feeble grind were worked, tweaked, adjusted to the point where Fay was comfortable and confident in her abilities. After dinner each night I would treat her, and make sure she was feeling good and ready to train again the next day. Typically the focus was on her quads, and hips as there is a lot of squatting involved with park skating, making most of them built like hockey players. Feet as well are a common area
After a week we headed back to Paris. I got my first experience on a high-speed European TGV train, which was amazing to say the least. After a missed exits, and getting on the subway going the entirely wrong way I made it to my hotel. I was on the opposite end of downtown Paris to where Fay was staying, so figuring out the subway was going to be the first order of business. I dropped my bags, hopped back on the subway and took it a few stops and then hopped off and found the first funky looking coffee shop that I could find.
I spent the next few days literally wandering around Paris being a tourist and sight seeing. There was a vast amount of Police and Military presence, but never felt intimidating. I found my way to the mens cycling road race and positioned right at the top of the cobbled climb where I could see them cruise by three times in the race. After befriending a Belgian family and enjoying pizza and beer as I waited the four hours for the race to arrive, it was time to brave the crowds. We were at least eight people deep and continually squishing up to the barriers to catch a glimpse of the riders. It was amazing to see.
Next up was Fay’s competition. Although I was only there as support for Fay and did not have credentials to be on deck, I did have tickets to see the Women’s prelims and finals all in one day. It was unreal to see. I stood proud with my Canada flag each run she took, and although she didn’t have the result that she was hoping for, I couldn’t have been more proud. It was an emotional, exhausting, exhilarating and once in a lifetime experience. The next day I was going to get to see the Men compete.
The next day I was back again watching the men compete. The height and skill of the top level men was just mind blowing. Considering at points the park was 11ft deep, they were going double the height above that, and doing so many spins and flips I couldn’t keep track. Sadly we had no Canadian men in the skateboard park final. It was great to sit and watch this. Fay came out and sat with me to watch the final. It was great to see her out and enjoying the rest of the Olympic experience.
On my last day I headed over to Canada House which was in a science centre in the centre of Paris. It was pretty cool to see, and the first time that I got to watch the Olympics on TV. My Canadian computer in France wouldn’t load any websites, and so the only Olympics I got to watch were the live events. I didn’t mind. I had one last dinner in Paris with Fay and her family. It was a great pizza place I had eaten at previously right on the Champs Elyse. Maybe I’ll be back at some point to watch the Tour de France to finish here.
The next morning I packed up. Headed to the airport just outside of Paris and headed home. Probably the wildest trip I had been on, and one where I got to do the things I am good at an passionate about.
I love treating elite level athletes. Seeing what they can accomplish is amazing. I think it will take a while to unpack all of the things that I learned over those two weeks in France. Its an experience I won’t soon, or ever forget. I have a lot of thanks to give to Fay for trusting me initially to take care of her when we first met and to keep doing that over the following two years. Participating in your first Olympics at 14 years old is wild. Despite the outcome I learned something. You are never referred to as an ex-olympian, only ever as an Olympian. Looking forward to LA 2028 with you Fay. Keep pushing.
Dr. Adam Wade 