A man from Steinbach is in Rio as part of Canada's core medical team for the Olympic games. Dave Blatz, an athletic therapist, says the medical team will do all it can to keep Canada's athletes as fit as possible. He adds Canada has over 300 athletes and 100-plus coaches and support staff in Brazil. Blatz adds he has been assigned to work with Canada's golfers, boxers and weightlifters and that has him excited.

"The fact that I'm working the golf event which is the first time it's being played in like 100-plus years, working with some of the athletes, working with some of the medical professionals that I'm here with, learning new skills that I can bring back home, it's a very special honour to represent your country in this capacity, looking after our Olympic athletes."

Despite some of the media coverage indicating Rio was less than ready to host the games, Blatz says he is having a very good experience there.

"This will be my third Olympics and I've worked three or four Pan-Am Games and Commonwealth Games and this village (in Rio) is absolutely beautiful. The pools and cafeteria in our building and the village itself is absolutely remarkable. Kudos to the Brazil organizing staff. They've made us feel at home."

Blatz arrived in Rio a week before the start of the games to help set up the medical facilities and says it's been a blast so far.