DISC Sports & Spine Center Sponsors Eight Team USA Hopefuls for 2012 Olympic Games in London

DISC Sports & Spine Center (DISC), an official medical services provider for the U.S. Olympic Team, announced today the eight Team USA hopefuls it will sponsor through its "Champion Care" program for their journey to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. DISC’s "Champion Care" athletes include track and field stars Lolo Jones, Brianna Glenn, Jenny Adams and Brad Walker, swimmers Eric Shanteau and Jessica Hardy, BMX’s Mike Day and triathlon athlete Sarah Haskins.

As all eight strive to become part of Team USA, DISC will continue to play a vital role in their success stories through a sponsorship featuring complementary top-quality medical care—an immense benefit when premium health care costs are often exorbitant. Through DISC’s partnership with the USOC, the "Champion Care" athletes will have access to an elite medical team, a range of integrated services and a world-class facility in which they can both recover and train. In addition, each athlete will receive a stipend to help cover training expenses.

For their part, the "Champion Care" athletes have given DISC access to their personal journeys on the road to the 2012 Olympics Games, including the documented and potentially career ending injuries that DISC identified and treated. With permission, DISC will share these stories through videos, interviews and profiles released as the athletes train, attempt to qualify and ultimately compete on the world’s largest stage in London.

"We are thrilled to play a part in helping such extraordinary athletes achieve their Olympic dreams," said Dr. Robert S. Bray, Jr., DISC’s CEO and Founding Director. "We also look forward to inspiring other hopefuls through their unique accounts about the challenges they’ve faced in competing for a spot on Team USA. While their injuries are just one part of the story, the health of an athlete is at the foundation of his or her long-term success."

Lolo Jones, considered one of the best female 100m hurdlers in the world, was meters away from a gold medal in Beijing before she clipped a hurdle and placed seventh in the race. On a quest for redemption, Jones sought treatment with DISC to release a tethered spinal cord and ultimately saved her Olympic ambitions. In January 2012, just six months following her surgery, Jones won the U.S. Open in the 50m hurdles and has already dominated the spotlight leading into this summer’s Olympic Games.

Eric Shanteau, a national swimming champion and 11-time All-American who competes in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and 4x100m relay, faced his biggest challenge when he battled testicular cancer following his appearance in the 2008 Olympic Games. Already the American record holder in the 100m breaststroke, Shanteau now trains with an Olympic medal on his mind after seeking help at DISC’s Soft Tissue Center to manage a shoulder injury through medical treatment, acupuncture, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning.

Brad Walker, twice a World Champion and six times a USA Pole Vault Champion, currently holds the North American pole vault record. In a competition following the 2008 Olympics, Walker crashed into the pole vaulting box during a 19’6" jump attempt. He struggled to return from a pelvis injury, ruptured disc in his back and disc bulge in his neck. After receiving minimally invasive back surgery (microdiscectomy) at DISC, Walker has resumed his training with a goal of jumping the world record at 20’2", higher than his previous best of 19’9".

Jessica Hardy, a World Champion swimmer and Team USA athlete, set three world records before the age of 21. After missing the 2008 Olympic Games, Hardy has come back strong, being crowned the World Champion in the 50m breaststroke and winning a silver medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Hardy has used DISC’s Soft Tissue Center for medical treatment on her shoulder, as well as for rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, acupuncture and sports psychology.

Mike Day, Team USA Olympic BMX silver medalist, had struggled with a herniated and bulged spinal disc in his back, with no relief from his attempts to use alternative therapy. After undergoing minimally invasive surgery to replace a disc between vertebrae with an artificial titanium disc, he quickly resumed competing and looks ahead for an even stronger showing at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Sarah Haskins, a Team USA triathlete and USA National Champion, became a professional athlete in 2004, less than a year after competing in her first triathlon. After participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Haskins set her sites on an even bigger outing at the 2012 Olympic Games. What she thought was an ankle sprain that refused to heal nearly thwarted her plans, until she received a proper diagnosis. Minimally invasive surgery at DISC has allowed her to resume her training and prepare for London.

Brianna Glenn, an NCAA Champion, U.S. Champion and member of World Championship teams for long jump, hopes to make her first Olympic appearance in London this summer after narrowly missing it in years past. Glenn sought rehabilitative services from DISC for a sprained ankle and lingering knee issues that caused her to switch jump legs late in her career.

Jenny Adams, an 11-time All-American and member of nine Team USA squads, hopes to make her first Olympic appearance in the 100m hurdles after missing it three previous times. Adams works with DISC for ongoing pain management for a bulged disc in her back and uses the Soft Tissue Center at DISC to maintain her recovery. Following her retirement from the sport, Adams began working for DISC in her current role as an Athlete Liaison, which has inspired her to return to her training regimen and compete for a spot this year’s Team USA.

For more information, visit: www.discmdgroup.com.

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