Christina Yannetsos, MD, Named a Physician for Team USA

(May 2020) Christina Yannetsos, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine for the University of Colorado School of Medicine, had been named a physician for Team USA for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the now-delayed Olympiad in Tokyo.

For Yannetsos, the appointment combines her longtime participation in judo with her medical training. The 2020 Summer Olympics had been scheduled from July 24 to August 9, but have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before becoming a physician, Yannetsos was a member of the USA Judo National team from 1998 through 2005, qualifying for the 2004 Olympics, but an injury – a separated shoulder – prevented her from competing. She earned medals at multiple world, Pan American, and national competitions.

“Judo is the No. 2 practiced sport in the world, next to soccer,” said Yannetsos, who grew up in Miami. “I wasn’t very good at first, but I’m one of those kids who if you challenge me, I’m going to keep coming back.”