Supporting Aruba on the International Stage
For nearly three weeks this summer, ELEVA Physiotherapy & Performance extended far beyond the clinic in Aruba.
Founder and lead physiotherapist Edric Magalona had the honour of serving as the Official Physiotherapist for the Aruba Olympic Committee during the 2026 Central American & Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Bringing together more than 6,000 athletes from 37 countries across 40 sports, the Games are one of the region's largest multi-sport events and an important stepping stone for many athletes with Olympic ambitions.
For Edric, the invitation represented much more than travelling with a national team. It was an opportunity to serve Aruba through a profession he is passionate about while working alongside athletes who have dedicated years of their lives to representing the island at the highest level.
Most people see the moments of competition, the races, matches, lifts, and celebrations. Behind every performance, however, is an enormous amount of preparation. Athletes train for months or even years for just a few moments on the competition floor. During an event like the Central American & Caribbean Games, the physiotherapist becomes an important part of that process, helping athletes prepare, recover, and stay healthy throughout an intense competition schedule.
Early mornings began before competition with mobility work, recovery sessions, taping, or last-minute assessments. Throughout the day, there were treatments between events, injury management, communication with coaches, and ensuring athletes were physically ready whenever they were called upon to compete. Even after competition had finished, recovery continued with hands-on treatment and strategies designed to help athletes perform the following day again.
For Edric, the experience also brought together two parts of his own journey. Before becoming a physiotherapist, he competed internationally as an athlete himself. That background allows him to understand not only the physical demands of high-performance sport, but also the pressure and dedication that come with representing your country.
The Games were also a proud moment for Aruba. Team Aruba competed with determination throughout the event, finishing with 11 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, and 7 bronze) against some of the strongest sporting nations in the region. While medals are one measure of success, the commitment, resilience, and professionalism shown by Aruba's athletes throughout the Games reflected the spirit of the delegation.
Experiences like these reinforce why ELEVA exists in the first place. Every opportunity to work in high-performance sport brings new knowledge, new perspectives, and valuable experience that can be brought back to the people of Aruba.
Edric would like to thank the Aruba Olympic Committee, the coaches, medical staff, and especially the athletes for their trust throughout the Games. It was a privilege to be part of Team Aruba and an experience that will continue to shape the care provided at ELEVA for years to come.
