GANGNEUNG, Republic of Korea — Jamaica’s physiotherapist Patricia Lue-Chin said she has had a relatively “easy time” of handling cases of injury and illness as the Special Olympic World Winter Games winds down here.

“I think I’m having an easy time because I’m accustomed to having more problems. It’s a small team but they have been good and they’ve listened to all the advice and done what they need to do,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The Jamaica team battles Hungary in today’s floor hockey gold medal match, but will be without Andrew Hinds, who picked up a dislocated acromio-clavicular joint (shoulder injury) two days ago. There are also concerns over the fitness of marquee defender Omar Brown, who has a bruised right ankle bone.

Lue-Chin, who is also the assistant head of delegation, said Keneil Hewitt has almost fully recovered from a left ankle sprain and Brown is getting treated for his knock.

“Keneil was out for two days with his injury but he responded well to treatment and passed the fitness and has played since.

“Omar’s situation is not an ankle strain or sprain. He collided with an opponent’s stick and it hit the bone around the ankle so it’s tender. We are working on it,” she said moments after wrapping Brown’s ankle with a bandage.

Nonetheless, Lue-Chin, who has plenty of experience travelling on overseas assignments, said the 18-member team has followed the preventative measures put in place by the management staff and this has resulted in a largely incident-free two-week stay in Korea.

“They seem to be getting adequate rest… the food is there but we have warned them about what they eat and how much they eat. They have also been hydrating… they are taking their fluids. All in all I think so far this has been one of my easier Games,” she added.

Though experiencing Korea’s frigid winter temperatures, Lue-Chin said she is pleasantly surprised that there has not been an outbreak of cold virus within the camp.

“Surprisingly, there haven’t been many problems with cold and flu symptoms. They are layering their clothing and keeping warm all the time. Sometimes there may be a bit of sore throat because of the breeze and cold air but other than that there hasn’t been much of a problem.

The assistant HOD explained that floor hockey players Keneil Hewitt, Rayan Farquharson and Oshain Daley encountered stomach-related issues earlier in the trip but added that the situation is much improved.

“Keneil was diagnosed with acute gastritis but was rehydrated and came back from the hospital and progressed well with no problems. Blood studies and abdominal x-rays were done but those tests were negative.

“Rayan also went to hospital but he also responded very well eventually. He’s been fine and had no more problems. So they have all recovered quicker than expected,” she said.

Another hockey competitor, David Thompson, complained of stomach discomfort earlier this week but he has recovered.

The physio added that hockey player Shawn Myers was found to have a high blood pressure when tests were done to all the athletes at a Healthy Athletes Session at their village on the Kwandong University complex.

The January 29 to February 5 Championships will end with the Closing Ceremony this evening at the Yongpyong Dome.

Jamaica won two silver medals — through the industry of figure skaters Nigel Davis and Tamra Mitchell — in the ice dancing competition.

The pair was able to meet chief executive officer and chairman of Special Olympics Timothy Shriver as well as celebrated American figure skater and Olympic medallist Michelle Kwan on Sunday.