The Prairie State Games: Organization of Medical Care

In brief: The finals of the Prairie State Games, an Olympic-style sports festival, annually attract nearly 3,000 Illinois amateur athletes, who sustain an average of 265 injuries per year. Although most of the injuries are orthopedic, a moderate number of heat-related problems occur. Most injuries are associated with soccer, wrestling, and basketball. A medical director who is a physician coordinates the efforts of the more than 30 volunteer physicians and 60 athletic trainers who constitute the medical corps. This article describes the guidelines for providing medical care at this large-scale athletic event.