[Specific features of the interrogation and examination of athletes]

The motivations of a physician and a competitive athlete are fundamentally divergent. A competitor has short-term objectives and wants to win whatever the cost physically and to obtain the attention of the media. The physician's priorities are a healthy and long life for his patient and therefore looks to the future with precautionary measures. Medical confidentiality is a fundamental ethic of the profession (which does not help the sporting journalists...). The physician who chooses to look after top class athletes should not lower his ethical principles but should absolutely understand the motivations of competitors.