FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez was one of the leading figures from the international sports world who joined some of the world’s foremost medical experts at the fifth International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport (ICCCS) in Berlin, Germany last week.

“The FEI is honoured to support the ICCCS and be a part of the debate that will improve athlete safety across the sports world,” Sabrina Ibáñez said. “It is essential that there is an increased awareness of the safety issues we face in equestrian and other sports and we owe a big debt of thanks to the scientific communities for the research that will help us improve risk management protocols for athlete safety.”

FEI Medical Committee member Allen Sills, who is also member of the ICCCS organising & scientific committees, was one of the panellists for a discussion on what advanced or novel tests could assist in the evaluation of concussion, as well as a debate on the evidence and effectiveness of specific treatment interventions.

The FEI was one of five co-sponsors of the conference, alongside the IOC, FIFA, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and World Rugby. IIHF President René Fasel and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont also attended.

The conference drew over 400 international medical professionals and scientists, as well as representatives from a number of sports, including equestrian, hockey, football and rugby.

Delegates at last week’s conference were shown the latest research about concussions, including the definition of what a concussion is, and presentations about technologies and biomarkers that could aid on-site medical staff to diagnose a concussion near the field of play.

A Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport from the Berlin conference will be published in early 2017.

Jack Burns