A fulltime therapist practicing unorthodox medicine guides world champion Abdi Bile down the narrow path between race winning fitness and crippling injury. Jerry Yanuck resurrected the 26yearold Somali’s triumphant campaign for the 1987 world 1,500m title in Rome after Achilles problems had threatened to ruin Bile’s season.
Two years on, and after missing the Seoul Olympics with a stress fracture, Bile is back at the summit of middle distance running Yanuck again performing medical magic behind the scene to keep the delicate African in action.
Bile won the 1,500m event at Barcelona beating Sebastian Coe of Britain in a close finish.
“People say he’s injury prone,” Yanuck said. “I wouldn’t agree with that, although his career has been chequered by injury. “Pam not sure why that is, but this is only the second year of his career he has not missed ‘4 race through injury. I’d say he’s really fragile”.
Micro-current therapy, non-force osteopathic techniques and energy medicine are some of the methods Yanuck uses to keep Bile in shape.
He described them as “techniques of alternative medicine” but insisted: “There’s nothing strange or quirkiest about them. They have a useful place and are becoming more and more integrated into traditional techniques. “We’re a team effort. He bas an incredible talent, I’m just helping him get to the Starting line,” “I’m sure it helps his confidence knowing there’s someone there who can sort out this aches and pains.” Bile, a business undergraduate ‘at George Mason University in Washin ton, is one of a handful of athletes who tour the world with a fulltime therapist.
Others include multitalented Said Aouita, 100m world record holder Carl Lewis and Butch Reynolds, the 400m world record holder. Yanuck, who since 1980 has worked with athletes and dancers suffering chronic pain, came to Bile’s aid in April 1987. ‘The athlete was suffering from Achilles tendinitis and, under traditional medicine, faced either surgery or least several weeks in plaster.
But Yanuck’s programme of massage and micro-current therapy administering small ‘amounts of electricity to cure injury or ked wonders.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 27, 1989
