Gerard Hartmann talks exclusively to Limerick Post journalist, Andrew Carey. @andrewcareylk for tweets & andrew@limerickpost.ie
RETURNING home from the greatest show on earth – the Olymplic Games in London, the message from Limerick man and internationally renowned sports physiotherapist, Gerard Hartmann is: “Sport is big business but we can’t just wait for it to arrive on our doorstep – we need to go after it.”
Recognised by the world’s elite athletes from both home and abroad, Hartmann is well used to dealing with the best of the best and his inclusion in the backroom team for the Olympic Athletes as the head of physiotherapy came as no surprise. This was his sixth Olympic Games where he assisted in the treatment and care of athletes and his return to the Irish camp since Atlanta 1996.
Sharing his thoughts with the Limerick Post, on the before, during and after, Gerard Hartmann was true to form in his praise of things worthy and critical of shortcuts adopted, testament to the way he treats and conducts his practice.
On the London 2012 Games he says:
“It really was the greatest show on earth and when you look at what they did regarding the facilities, the main arena and even the food hall at the village, it was amazing. Much credit has to go to Seb Coe and the entire team, it was fantastic and not a stone was left unturned.”
He said the games in London showcased to the world what can be done by dedicated teams.
“Sport is big business and that was big business, big business for London – They showed that they could go after that business and deliver.
“Limerick needs to do that also. I’m not talking about an Olympics but when you see the process in action it should be a lot clearer.
“Limerick can’t wait for that sports business to just arrive at our door – We have to go after it if we want to be part of it. We need to tell the world that we love sport, we have a great heritage and history in sport but it’s not enough just to wait.
“The European City of Sport designation was great for us but I feel we did not sell ourselves enough before the Games and therefore we didn’t reach the potential to attract teams on training camps. The infrastructure is there it just needs to be realised.
“Yes we have world class facilities, but so do 50 other venues or cities in the UK and I feel we didn’t tell them enough about how special here is.”
On Katie Taylor
“What can I say about Katie Taylor that hasn’t already been said? She is a magnificent girl and a wonderfully dedicated athlete, as are all the Olympians, but Katie is something else.
“I watched her train and spar outside the hotel at one point and both she and Zaur (Antia), together with Peter, Katie’s Dad, left nothing to chance. That gold was always on the cards and she just went for it.
“Regarding her future, I hope she stays in the amateur ranks and goes to Rio in 2016 to defend her title. She really is the darling girl, just like Sonia and if she goes back to the games that would be fantastic.
“I don’t think turning pro would be a good idea. She could still get a number of lucrative deals that would set her up for a decent life. She is an intelligent girl and with her Dad at her side, she would be much better off here and work the four year cycle to Rio. I also hope that Billy and Zaur stay too. They’re looking to be poached with some big offers in the UK and Europe but Irish amateur boxing needs them. It’s vital they stay and they need to be looked after.
“We had a fantastic Olympics with the boxers and that needs to be recognised through honouring them and making sure those trainers are in our corner.”
On Annalise Murphy
“As I said to you before she would and she rose to the top. Four wins and she was flying, but I really felt for her on the Monday medal race. She was gutted, and I mean gutted as the previous 10 races had her in the medals, gold even at one point, and then in one race it was gone. That was hard to take, hard to watch, but she’s going to be back. Annalise Murphy, like I told you before the games, will be at the top. I said she could win a medal but Annalise is driven and she will win a medal in Rio, mark my words. Watch this girl rise. Her mother was an Olympian too, so she knows what it takes.
On the Olympians – Irish and international
“We had a great team, some didn’t get to the grade but that’s’ the Olympics. But the games really shone for the top class stars and some new stars were born.
“Even in our own team Annalise shot to the top. Our triathletes and not to mention our boxers, they all did very well. I was disappointed for those that didn’t make the grade or get to the startline in tip top shape. Those things will be looked at and addressed again but for now, we just have to look back on London 2012 as being one of our most successful games. But we have to keep pushing ourselves and make international standards.
“For the international stars, what can you say, Bolt, Phelps, the Ethiopians, Kenyans, the stars of track and field – they were superb. Mo Farah, wining double gold for GB was fantastic. I have worked with Mo since he was in his early teens and he was always going to make it. I am thrilled for him and it is so deserved.”
On Limerick
“Like I said earlier, we missed the boat for the pre Olympic training camps but we will know seven years in advance where the games after Rio will be on. If it is Tokyo or a European city, we need to sell ourselves to be part of this big business. It is all about infrastructure and there is plenty of it available. We just need to put the pieces together.
“Internally, there is a lot of politics to sort out and that will happen in time.
“Unfortunately, I believe that Limerick and the UL Arena will lose the status of a high performance centre for swimming as it will be moved to Abbotstown in the very near future. That will be a blow and it is very disappointing to see that. The thinking is to centralise it under the Institute of Sport in Dublin and with 50m pools available there Limerick is sure to lose out.
“It’s not feasible for them to run centres bilocationally. Just like Munster Rugby is likely to centralise everything in the coming months, they too will do the same. But that is not the end – we need to refocus and sell ourselves to rebuild. That’s key and crucial for Limerick.
On working behind the scenes
“I loved every second of the Olympics, just like the five Games I have been to before. The athletes were great and I made sure the Irish house was sorted whenever it needed to be. We had five physio tables upholstered in green white and gold. It was just something to keep the spirits high.
“I had some work to do with other international athletes that I treat, but that was fun too. Together with Sonia, we got to a great number of the events to see our Irish athletes compete and that was valuable. Where else would you be if you’re involved in sport only at the greatest stage there is. That was a real privilege.”
On Sonia O’Sullivan – Chef de Mission
“Sonia was the Chef de Mission for one reason and one reason alone. She has been there, won medals, been lapped, she’s seen it all and that is what you need when you’re an athlete at the games, daunted and feeling the strain and stress of competition.
“Take Grainne Murphy. She wasn’t able to compete but she felt that she had to perform and compete at the games. Sick since March, there was always a chance she could pull something off, but after her opening race it was clear that was not going to happen. It was well documented at the time, but I felt for Grainne and what was happening in the background. She faced a dilemma about racing and I set up a quick chat with Sonia. That’s where her experience came in and Sonia took Grainne for a walk and a chat and almost an hour later they returned emotionally in a much better place. Grainne was smiling after being visibly upset earlier. She told the head coach that she could not race and the decision was made. It was the athlete’s choice and the right one. Sonia helped her through that tough time and only because she had seen it all in previous games. That’s invaluable. That’s why Sonia is who she is.”
On the future
“Well, I have a few weeks off now and I will still treat some athletes but I will be taking some time up until October then I will be back in action. I feel that every four years it is good to take some real time off, recharge and refocus. It’s right for both the patients and I.
After that, well I’ll get back to treatments full-time and hopefully follow the next crop to the Olympics. Personally, as well as the Irish medal haul, I worked with international athletes that came to Limerick in advance of the games and they reaped 11 individual medals including Bolt’s three gold, Mo Farah and others. I hope this can be built on for the next four year Olympic cycle. Higher, faster, stronger – that’s the Olympic motto and I hope we can stick to that.”
