The Limb of the Matter
The Summit (NJ)-based medical doctor and chiropractor Mark Goldfarb has got hands-on knowledge of what it takes to bring an elite athlete to the pinnacle of form. Mark has been with our federation for more than 20 years giving volunteer medical services to our National ice skating team.

The Beginning
-Mark, how did you first get involved with our federation? Was it a personal or a professional connection?
-Both. Before I opened my own medical practice (Millburn Physical Therapy), I had worked as a doctor for US Pro Ski Tour overseeing the physical condition of such renowned skiers as, for example, Steve and Phil Mahre, the 1980 and 1984 Olympic gold and silver medalists. I first met Boris [Chait} when he asked me to take medical care of Galit who started skating at the age of six and needed medical supervision for it. Since then I have been taking care of all of Israel's National team athletes and also providing free consulting services whenever a medical issues has been raised.

Tireless Dedication
It often takes much more than just giving an hour's length physiotherapy session.  When at one of the 2006 Grand Prix Series Sergey Sakhnovsky injured his hamstring, Mark traveled to Novogorsk, Russia, where our team was training before the 2006 Olympics in Turin to stay with the athletes for a month and see to it that they would get to the major competition of the 4-year cycle on top form. Mark had to hire a doctor to fill in for him when he was away to be able to fulfill that mission. Other stories are just equally amazing. When at the 2006 Europeans Roman had such bad sinusitis, he couldn't breathe, Mark would put some muscle pain reliever on his nose to make the nasal muscles expand and let Roman breathe better for 15 minutes – just enough time to warm up and do the routine. This was Sasha and Roman's debut on the international senior level. They placed 15th and qualified for the Olympics.

-Mark, this story is more than just assistance. It is full-time and full-hearted dedication. What makes you do it?
-The answer is simple. I want to work towards making Israel occupy an important place on the global sports map. And I am not alone. I know how much time and effort Boris, Irene, Galit, and others have been dedicating to making this goal a reality, and this team spirit keeps me going too.

Sightseeing is sidestepped
Mark travels with our team to major international competitions and camps. He had an injury in his leg before the 2008 Worlds in Gothenburg and was barely out of a wheelchair when he had to fly to Sweden to take care of our skaters there.
-Mark, do you manage to get any sightseeing in between the therapy sessions and competitions?
-Not at all. You have to be up at 6 pm to get them ready for the morning training. Then there is the competition itself, and then post-competition treatment, and getting other team members ready for another day of competition. So, sightseeing has to go by the board.

More than just immediate family
At 2008 Worlds in Gothenburg Mark was asking us about some gift ideas for his wedding anniversary. He has been married for 25 years and has two daughters, Lindsey, 23, and Jamie, 21. Both are friends of Sasha and Roman who spend a lot of their weekends and holidays at Mark's home.

"It keeps them feel at home away from home. We all are one big family", says Mark.