He isn't an Olympian or a casual spectator, but Wayne State University School of Medicine alumnus Peter Donaldson, M.D., is in London, England, for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
It's a dream come true for the Sports Medicine doctor, who applied for a spot on the official United States medical staff seven years ago.
"I feel very fortunate to be here. It's a little more exciting every hour," said Dr. Donaldson, a Grosse Pointe Park resident and 1999 School of Medicine graduate.
He is one of 20 medical doctors on an 85-member staff of physicians, athletic trainers, chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists providing multidisciplinary care for 529 athletes at the U.S. team's dorm-based health clinic, which is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. In the off hours, the volunteer physicians take turns being on call for their entire three-week stay.
Dr. Donaldson also is on staff at the Michigan Orthopaedic Institute in Southfield, affiliated with William Beaumont Health System.
He arrived in London July 19, 12 days before the opening ceremonies, and quickly familiarized himself with the U.S. clinic and the Olympic Village's all-country clinic - which he described as a state-of-the-art "mini-hospital."
While in London, he is assigned to both the general clinic and the U.S. equestrian team, providing on-site care for the sport's 13 U.S. team members in six medal events - team and individual show jumping, eventing cross country and dressage.
The equestrian events take place in London's Greenwich Park, a historical inland green space about 25 minutes from the Olympic Village.
He has already treated athletes in training, met other countries' medical teams, visited Greenwich Park to learn the course logistics, and even toured the other Olympic arenas, including the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (home of Wimbledon) and Wembley Stadium. The tours are in preparation for emergency on-site injuries that require fast athlete treatment or evacuation to hospitals.
"A lot of time is put into preparation, getting ready for the worst scenario you don't want to happen," he said.
As a sports medicine specialist, Dr. Donaldson has provided on-site medical care for Michigan universities, high schools and athletic teams, as well as an international stint with USA Hockey. He is board certified in Sports Medicine and Emergency Medicine, a dual certification he believes helped him win a spot on the elite U.S. Olympics' medical team.
While these Summer Olympics are his first main Olympics event, the United States Olympic Committee invited him to its training facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., just before the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He had been on a waiting list for more than two years.
"They want to see how you are clinically, how you communicate with athletes and coaches, and how you work under pressure," he said.
He was selected to serve as a physician on the sled hockey team for the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, and was a physician for the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico.
His first summer games are also a homecoming. Dr. Donaldson was born in England, living in central England's Leamington Spa, northwest of London, until he was 4 years old. He is a dual citizen of both England and the U.S., and as an undergraduate, studied at Oxford University for one year.
Dr. Donaldson expects things will "really heat up" once the games begin July 28. "They're competing at a higher level so there are more injuries, and you get under tighter time constraints to get people better faster," he said.
Some injured athletes could have less than 24 hours until their next event. "We just throw everything we can at them," he said.
Equestrian is one of the most popular sports in Britain, Dr. Donaldson said, and the events were among the first to sell out. The injuries are numerous as well.
"All the riders get overuse just like any athletes, hip and shoulder problems. It's a dangerous sport and falls are relatively frequent. And you can see just about anything from falls," he said.
That includes concussions and fractures. "It's a higher risk sport," he said.
The days are long and busy, but Dr. Donaldson said he wouldn't change a thing. "It is a lot of hours and a lot of work, but I'm enjoying it a lot and I feel lucky to be here," he said.
While the majority of the physicians are volunteers, the United States Olympic Committee pays for the trip to London, plus room, board and a stipend for meals and other costs.