Four times during his career, 琉璃神社鈥檚 Jeff Thorburn has donned his country鈥檚 colours at an international sporting event.

With all due respect to the people and teams involved the first three times, it鈥檚 likely nothing will match what the 43-year-old athletic therapist is experiencing this month in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Thorburn is one of two athletic therapists working on the staff of the at the

鈥淚t may sound clich茅, but this is truly an honour to be a part of such an incredible national team and such a monstrous event,鈥� said Thorburn. 鈥淚 am so excited to be a part of this team and this spectacle.

鈥淩eally, much like any of the athletes and coaches, I want the team to win,鈥� he added. 鈥淗elping and supporting Team Canada in any capacity is a great highlight of my career so far.鈥�

ALSO READ: UBCO therapist gets Olympic call from Hockey Canada

The head athletic therapist at UBC Okanagan since 2013, Thorburn spent seven seasons with the WHL鈥檚 琉璃神社 Rockets, during which time he worked for Hockey Canada three times鈥攖he last at the 2012 world junior hockey championship in Calgary and Edmonton.

When Scott Salmond from Hockey Canada鈥檚 management team contacted Thorburn last summer about the potential of revisiting his hockey experience with a trip to PyeongChang, a decision wasn鈥檛 long in coming.

A father of three who would have to be away from his family and his job for an extended period of time, there were more than a few factors to consider.

Still, in the end, Thorburn said accepting the role was a no-brainer and an honour 鈥渇or anyone working with sport or athletics to jump at an opportunity like this.鈥�

Thorburn and the men鈥檚 hockey team are based in Gangneung, the athlete鈥檚 village for all ice sports and a 30-minute bus ride from PyeongChang.

The scope of the world鈥檚 largest sporting event and the excitement generated by the games have captured Thorburn鈥檚 full attention and imagination.

鈥淭he village and the city have a great vibe,鈥� Thorburn said this week via email. 鈥淓veryone is excited about being here and the people of Korea are very excited to be hosts to the world. Everyone is very friendly and helpful, although the language barrier often makes things challenging when you are outside of the village and venues.

鈥淏eing in Korea, even after the first couple of days, you had a sense of the true magnitude of the Olympic Games.鈥�

鈥⑩赌⑩赌�

Thorburn is part of a small but talented contingent of 琉璃神社 athletes is proudly wearing the Maple Leaf at the Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The most renowned of the local competitors is Kelsey Serwa who will be pursuing her second career Olympic medal in the women鈥檚 ski cross event.

Serwa, 28, will compete with her Canadian teammates on Friday, Feb. 23.

In her first Olympic Games, Tess Critchlow, 22, competed this week in the women鈥檚 snowboard cross, finishing in ninth place.

Julia Ransom, a member of the Canadian biathlon team, is expected to compete in the women鈥檚 relay next week. Earlier in the week, Ransom placed 28th overall in the 10 km pursuit.

Lake Country鈥檚 Ian Deans is serving as an alternate on the men鈥檚 ski cross team. The men鈥檚 ski cross qualifications and finals are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21.

A coach from 琉璃神社 is also at the 2018 Olympics but is providing his expertise for another country. Bob Ursel, a former B.C. men鈥檚 champ, is guiding the host South Korean men鈥檚 team in the curling competition.

鈥⑩赌⑩赌�

Back home in 琉璃神社, Thorburn has more than a few people tracking his and the Canadian hockey team鈥檚 progress in South Korea, including colleague and friend Kevin Phillips.

A fellow athletic therapist and the strength and conditioning coach for the UBC Okanagan Heat, Phillips is excited for Thorburn and his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

鈥淭here鈥檚 something to be said for the flag, representing your country is a tremendous honour whatever and wherever the event is,鈥� said Phillips, who has worked previously with the B.C. Lions, Soccer Canada and the Vancouver Whitecaps. 鈥淲hen Jeff got the call, his eyes lit up, you could tell how excited he was for the opportunity to work with a national program, like any athletic therapist would be.鈥�

Phillips, who has worked in an international setting with Soccer Canada, knows firsthand the role athletic therapists are asked to play in a team-first environment.

In a largely behind-the-scenes position where the team鈥檚 success is paramount, Phillips says Thorburn鈥檚 personality, experience and skill set are well-suited for a national men鈥檚 Olympic program.

鈥淵ou have to try to make it the best environment possible for them to perform at 100 per cent, you can鈥檛 have a selfish attitude,鈥� said Phillips. 鈥淛eff fits perfectly into that, he鈥檚 such a caring, selfless and kind person, it鈥檚 not difficult for him to put others before himself.

鈥淗e understands his job, what鈥檚 asked of him and he carries that out like the professional that he is.鈥�

While Thorburn has proven time and again to be very much a team player, he also understands and embraces the personal benefits he鈥檚 gaining during his latest tour of duty with Team Canada.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an excellent professional development opportunity,鈥� Thorburn said. 鈥淭here are always things to learn and pick up on when working alongside a great medical staff, and management and coaching staff.鈥�

The Canadian men鈥檚 team continues the Olympic competition this Saturday with a game against the Czech Republic, then will battle the host Koreans on Sunday.

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