SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife's Dr. Ewan Affleck is spending his holiday working as a physician for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Affleck is a part of a team of health care professionals including physicians, doctors, nurses, ski patrollers and volunteers who are on hand at Whistler Olympic Park to assist spectators and athletes in case of injury or a medical emergency.

"It is a nice way to spend a holiday," said Affleck from Whistler.

He arrived in Whistler on Feb. 10 and said he was quite busy during the first couple days of the games.

"We had a spectator who had a heart attack and another who had angina," said Affleck, adding he is unaware of the heart attack victim's condition as the patient was transferred elsewhere for treatment.

He said the location of the park itself is quite high in the mountains and it's a bit of a hike to get to.

The park is host to venues for cross-country skiing, ski jumping and the biathlon. As of Monday morning Affleck had not treated any athletes for injuries.

While he may not be working in a traditional health clinic, Affleck described his work setting as being quite nice as he and other staff have access to an emergency room with defibrillators used to stabilize patients, other necessary equipment and access to helicopters to evacuate more serious cases.

"It is a gift to be able to participate in an international event like this," he said.

In December, Affleck had the honour of being one of 20 physicians who carried the Olympic torch on behalf of the Canadian Medical Association.

Affleck is the director of family practice for the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. He was the medical director for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games held in Yellowknife. When he is not on duty tending to the injured, Affleck said he will try to soak in some of the Olympic events.

"That's a bonus of working on the hill," he said.