Jimmer Fredette, a Team USA basketball player, recently made headlines at the Paris Olympics for an unexpected reason – his injury treatment. During a game, Fredette suffered a groin injury that required immediate attention. What caught the attention of spectators and the online community was the fact that he received treatment from a female physiotherapist.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with many fans sharing videos and photos of Fredette being attended to by the female physiotherapist. While some praised the professionalism and expertise of the physiotherapist, others sparked a debate about gender roles in sports and whether it was appropriate for a male athlete to receive treatment from a female therapist.
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Fredette was in action as USA lost 19-17 against Poland on Wednesday and at one stage in the game, his participation looked to be in serious doubt.
Cameras caught him grimacing in pain on the sideline with an apparent issue in his groin and upper thigh area with three minutes left on the clock.
He needed treatment from a USA physio and looked in discomfort as she pressed his thigh before taping him up. But inevitably, someone took to social media after viewing the moment as golden opportunity for a viral clip.
‘Turned on the Olympics & Jimmer Fredette was getting some medical attention,’ wrote the fan with a shocked emoji – and the clip promptly clocked over a million views.
Fredette went into the game struggling with an issue but had been backed to play through the pain barrier after USA lost its opening 3×3 game against Serbia on Tuesday.
And he was nearly vindicated. Fredette cut the lead to 1 with 90 seconds left on the clock before Michal Sokolowski made a free throw a few seconds later to extend the lead to 19-17.
According to the Associated Press, Fredette did not speak to reporters after the loss and was instead receiving further treatment from his team’s staff.
‘I don’t think we’re concerned,’ Kareem Maddox said about USA’s overall hopes after the Poland loss. ‘We just know we have some adjustments to make.’
Jimmer Fredette’s viral moment at the Paris Olympics underscores the significance of gender equality, professionalism, and inclusivity in sports. It is a reminder that athletes, regardless of their gender, deserve the best care and support when it comes to their health and well-being. Let this incident be a catalyst for positive change and progress in the sports industry as we strive towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
Flip to the next page to watch a viral video of Jimmer Fredette receiving treatment from a female physio at the 2024 Olympics…
