The travelling athlete: issues relating to the Commonwealth Games, Malaysia, 1998.

The international athlete is a global traveller. Such is the ease and speed of air travel that major international sporting events now take place throughout the world. This presents a variety of problems for the medical team and includes issues such as immunisation, vaccinations, jet lag, diet, and acclimatisation. The key to team care is preparation and, with the 1998 Commonwealth Games due to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in September, preparation must begin early. The main issues for the team of medical care providers relate to the three important phases in medical care: concerns before travel, minimising problems during travel, and providing care at the competition.