Vail, Colo.-based Steadman Philippon Research Institute, the United States Olympic Committee's sports medicine division and the University of Utah are partnering to form the first U.S. International Olympic Center for Prevention of Injury and Projection of Athlete Health.
Here are six takeaways:
1. The Steadman Philippon Research Institute and its partners will provide research efforts to support the IOC's injury prevention and athlete protection goals for Olympians and Paralympians.
2. The IOC provides financial support for research, development and implementation of effective prevention and treatment methods for sports injuries and illnesses.
3. The IOC began partnering with research centers for injury prevention in 2009. The organization seeks out research centers that exemplify clinical, educational and research expertise in sports medicine and elite athletics.
4. SPRI is the 10th IOC research center globally and a first of its kind established in the U.S. Other locations are in Australia, Canada, Denmark, South Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, South Africa and United Kingdom.
5. Dan Drawbaugh, CEO of Steadman Philippon Research Institute, said, "It is historic that SPRI is recognizes as part of the IOC's first research center in the U.S. and it once again demonstrates how the international sports medicine community values our dedicated researchers, scientists and surgeons here in Vail."
6. The Steadman Philippon Research Institute was founded in 1988 with the mission to explore regenerative medicine and scientific research innovations.