From Alpine ski racing to snowboarding, the Olympic games can take a dangerous physical toll on competitors. A new article from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) examines the essential role that radiology plays in diagnosing injuries, guiding care, and supporting athletes.

Ahead of the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeks volunteer radiologists from the host city to play a key role in the care of athletes, helping to identify injuries and monitor progress and recovery, so that athletes of all levels can return to play as soon as possible.

RSNA spoke with Dr. Bruce Forster, professor in the Department of Radiology at University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine in Vancouver, Canada, who noted that during the Olympic Games, six percent of injured athletes require imaging, which equates to 800 to 900 imaging studies.

Access the interview and find out more about radiology’s role in the Olympic games on RSNA’s website.