Eagle-eyed weightlifting fans may catch a glimpse of Chiswick doctor Michael Irani at the upcoming Olympic games as he is flying out to Beijing to keep a medical eye on the muscly teams.

The consultant rheumatologist, who works at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals, has been invited by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and International Olympic Committee (IOC), to attend the games in China as an official doctor.   

But you are unlikely to spot him on the television unless there is a problem at the weightlifting events which can last for up to two hours at a time.

Dr Irani, who has attended both the Commonwealth and Olympic Games many times, said it was a 'real privilege' to have been asked by the IWF and IOC to be an official doctor.   

He added: "My role in Beijing will include training the Chinese support workers and paramedics how to handle things if there is a serious problem and also providing health education for the weightlifters and their managers about the policies on drugs and supplements."

Dr Irani, who is from Chiswick, has been a medical officer at the Olympics since the Los Angeles games in 1984 and an official doctor for the England team since 1986.   

The doctor is not the only staff member from Ashford and St Peter's heading to the games this year.

On August 19 cardiac physiologist Susan Scott, 30, from Twickenham, will be taking part in the 1500m Women's Round One race.