The Australian Institute of Sport is playing a major role in helping our Aussie athletes reach their full potential in Beijing.

The AIS’s Dr Shona Halson, who is in charge of the Australian Olympic teams high-tech recovery centre at the Western Academy of Beijing, said that proper recovery can mean the difference between a medal or no medal.

‘Studies over the past ten years have shown that recovery has become increasingly important if an athlete wants to perform at their best, especially in warm and humid conditions. Given the temperatures experienced in Beijing, which averages 30 degrees, athletes will be encouraged to use the recovery centre after training and competition to bring their body temperatures back to normal to aid recovery.’

Extensive testing at the AIS has proven a cold 14 degrees is the optimal temperature to bring athletes body temperature back to their normal 37-degrees.

‘We know that the body won’t start its recovery process until the core temperature drops to its normal level, so our aim is to bring that down as quickly as possible to speed up the rehabilitation process,’ Halson said.

The recovery centre features a 25m pool, rehabilitation room, gymnasium, massage and relaxation areas and a nutrition bar. The centre has been established to make sure Australian athletes don't have to fight with the other 10,000 athletes for access to essential recovery equipment and services at the athlete’s village.

In a city as large as Beijing, getting athletes from their competition venues to the recovery centre within the ideal 30-60 minute timeframe won't be possible. Instead teams will have access to portable ice baths and other recovery equipment which they can take with them to venues further afield such as triathlon, rowing and cycling.