ERIC HEIDEN FITNESS COLUMN A GREAT START FOR 2010!!!

ERIC HEIDEN COLUMN A GREAT START FOR 2010!

Five-time Olympic gold-medalist speed skater and orthopedic surgeon Eric Heiden will write a new, weekly fitness column for Tribune Media Services (TMSI), which started just now to distribute it to print and online publishers around the word.

Each week Heiden offers readers advice on lifelong fitness principles developed over decades as a skater, champion cyclist, surgeon and consultant to many sports teams. He will be in Vancouver in February as team doctor for the United States Olympic speed-skating team.

“We are excited that one of the most admired athletes in modern American history will be writing a column for TMSI and helping readers everywhere who are interested in healthier lives,” said Mary Elson, managing editor of TMSI. “Eric’s unique position as a former world-class athlete and cutting-edge doctor will offer a perspective on fitness like no other. We’re looking forward to providing his column at a time that many publishers are expanding their health-care coverage.”

“Writing a column will be a great forum for me to connect with other athletes and exercise/health enthusiasts,” said Heiden. “I’m proud of what I did as a speed skater, but I find what I’m doing in my practice, and now with the column, to be my most rewarding accomplishment.”

Beyond his Olympic achievements, Heiden also became an accomplished cyclist and competed in the 1986 Tour de France. The son of an orthopedic surgeon who became an orthopedic surgeon himself, he co-founded the UC Davis Sports Performance Center in California, with his long-time professional partner, Dr. Massimo Testa. He now directs the Sports Medicine department at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Salt Lake City and is the co-medical director for USA Cycling, also with Dr. Testa.

Heiden also works as team physician for several professional teams (including basketball's Sacramento Kings and Monarchs), and at Olympic speed-skating and cycling events.