A physiotherapist from Caerphilly is helping athletes at this year’s Paralympic Games stay in tip-top condition.
Father-of-two Nikki McLaughlin, who runs Baseline Physiotherapy on Caerphilly Business Park, specialises in musculoskeletal sports injuries. During the games, he has been given the job of aiding the aches, pains and strains of the sailing teams in Weymouth, Dorset.
The 32-year-old, who now lives in Cardiff, whose own sporting ambitions were dashed by a knee injury, said: “Since injuring my knee playing rugby as a youngster, I have always wanted to be a sports physiotherapist. Getting the job to look after the Paralympians is one of the highlights of my career and one which I’m looking forward to immensely.”
The proud dad, who studied for his chosen profession at the Cardiff University, has also worked with top rugby clubs such as the Newport Gwent Dragons and Exeter Chiefs.
He has also applied to go out to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014 and is backing a potential bid from Cardiff for the 2026 games.
“After being involved in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, and potentially being involved in the upcoming games in Glasgow 2014, I would be over the moon if Wales were to bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“London 2012 has proved what we are capable of, and what calibre of world class athletes we have here in Wales. It has been said that the recent Olympic Games have inspired a generation. There is no doubt in my mind that Cardiff 2026 would go a long way in sustaining that inspiration.”