This mobile medical unit will be on hand in Whistler, B.C., to treat athletes and officials during the Games. (CBC)

Vancouver Olympic organizers have unveiled a new, state-of-the-art mobile medical unit for use treating athletes and officials during the 2010 Winter Games.

The $4.5-million mini-hospital is contained in tractor-trailer unit that can expand to 90-square metres with 12 beds, an operating room with two surgical beds, a recovery/triage area and an intensive care unit.

The mobile hospital — paid for by Games sponsor General Electric — will serve as an extension of the main health centre in Whistler.

"We would only operate here if the patient needed it and couldn't survive going to a bigger, better equipped facility," said Dr. Ross Brown, who will manage the mobile unit and medical services in the Whistler Athletes' Village.

"The reality is, very few athletes get injured during their sports," Brown said.

VANOC executive vice-president Cathy Priestner-Allinger said Olympic organizers need to be prepared for everything during the Games, and the mobile unit will provide quick access to state- of-the-art surgical facilities and medical personnel.

Games officials also would be treated in the unit, if necessary.

State-of-the art medical equipment fills the tractor-trailer mobile unit. (CBC)

"It's a large group of people with a wide range of ages — [like] senior officials with the IOC —and we know older people have health issues so we're there to support that," Brown said.

The unit would also be available to help if there were a mass incident involving the public, Brown said.

The provincial government will buy the unit after the Games to become part of its disaster and emergency response plan.

With files from The Canadian Press