Cardiac physiologist Susan Scott, 30,is due to run in Round 1 of the Women’s 1500m and if successful will go on to the Semi-finals at 7pm on Thursday 21st August.

Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Mike Irani (pictured here) is at the games as an official Doctor at the invitation of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In a report back from Beijing Consultant Rheumatologist Mike said: “Well, it’s nearly over for weightlifting at least. I hope the fame of Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust has spread far and wide as whilst we were taking some of these pics, they were testing the satellite feed to something like 5 billion viewers worldwide as weightlifting has been the fourth most viewed sport so far. Not bad considering Phelps will need Fort Knox to house his medals as indeed will the Chinese weightlifting team!

“On my watch we certainly had some interesting events. Most notable amongst which being the only Hungarian lifter who managed to dislocate his elbow which necessitated immediate hospital care as circulation to his hand was compromised. However, with prompt action not least on part of the local medical team at the 'China-Japanese Friendship Hospital' he was fixed in next to no time following an MRI.

“Then there was a stream of athletes with cramp which may not seem much, but when you are trying to lift in excess of 150kg when your body weight is 60kg, it does pose problems if you can not stand up! This is almost certainly due to dehydration to try and reduce weight to meet the requirements of their body weight category. Unfortunately there is very little that can be done apart from withdrawing the lifter from further competition as it would prove hazardous to him/her.

“We had a rest day last Thursday when we were taken to the Great Wall, but China does nothing by halves and an electric storm - which would have provided enough energy to supply Walton, Weybridge and Woking for a month - stopped any further damage to us. However, one of our party managed to rupture his calf muscle which required him to be lifted and brought down.

“Surprisingly, acupuncture and other Chinese medicine are not offered as a routine measure to those attending the Games, but only on special request. Could it be that evidence-based medicine does not confirm its efficacy?

“Tuesday is a big day in more ways than one, as the last session will be the 105+kg men's “A” group at 19.00hrs, for which I shall be on duty. These guys lift silly weights and we are expecting a win for Germany, although anything may happen on the night! For example, tonight the Polish favourite in the 105 kg men's event failed and was beaten by a Belarus lifter who managed to break the World and Olympic records in snatch, clean and jerk and total and then on his last lift managed to break it again - a record which he had set just two minutes earlier. The Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium had its roof almost blown off with this kind of performance!

“I must stress that drug testing of both urine and blood is being conducted and results are returning within 72 hours. We wait with baited breath, as indeed does every sport, including beach volleyball and ping pong.”

Susan and Mike’s friends and colleagues at the Trust are looking forward to hearing about their Beijing experiences when they return to work.