The internationally renowned sports medicine expert and orthopaedic surgeon started his career with the United States swimming team at their training camp in 1979 and went on to become team physician for the Atlanta 1996 Olympics Games.

As an accomplished horse rider, Ferrell (pictured above) then went on to serve as the US equestrian team doctor for over 15 years, covering three further Games – Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

He was elected as chairman of the FEI Medical Committee in 2007.

"Craig Ferrell was one of the kindest, most compassionate and dedicated people I have ever met," FEI President Princess Haya said.

"We at the FEI are devastated by his sudden passing.

"He cared deeply for the well-being of the athletes; they were his friends, not just his patients.

"He worked tirelessly to make equestrian sports safer and was instrumental in implementing the FEI rule which prevents riders from continuing in competition after a fall.

"Our hearts go out to Craig's wife Lorraine, to his sons Aaron and Jonathan, and to the many many people who knew and loved him around the world."


Ferrell received his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, carried out a surgical residency at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in the same city and specialised in orthopaedics at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis.

He also founded the Bone and Joint Clinic at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he served as a professor and vice-chairman of orthopaedics and rehabilitation.

A Facebook page and a special page on the website CaringBridge have been inundated with tributes from Ferrell's friends and former patients, all of whom write about his loving nature, his dedication to improving the health and well-being of others and the difference that he made to so many lives.

"Dr Ferrell served the Olympic Movement for 30 years and was highly respected by athletes and peers alike," International Olympic Committee (IOC) medical and scientific director Patrick Schamasch said.

"He was a renowned expert in orthopaedic surgery who used all his knowledge and expertise to help reduce risks in equestrian sport.

"He was with us in Monaco for the IOC conference on injury and illness prevention in April 2011, making a valuable contribution to the session dedicated to the international federations."

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