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. 2022 Jun 27;44(2):e203-e210.
doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab351.

Halting the pandemic outside 'CORTINA2021' alpine world ski championships: a challenge for sport and public health in times of COVID-19

De Polo Anna  1   2 , Pais Dei Mori Luigi  2 , Mongillo Michele  3 , De Luca Giuseppe  1   3 , Facchin Giacomo  1   2 , Marchesan Giangiacomo  3 , Stevanato Matteo  2 , Di Gallo Michele  4 , Apollonio Andrea  4 , Volpe Giacomo  4 , Modolo Eliana  5 , Russo Francesca  3 , Cinquetti Sandro  2
Affiliations

Halting the pandemic outside 'CORTINA2021' alpine world ski championships: a challenge for sport and public health in times of COVID-19

De Polo Anna et al. J Public Health (Oxf). .

Abstract

Background: In February 2021 the "Cortina2021" Alpine World Ski Championships took place in the mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy), thus gaining the definition of "first sporting event of global significance in the time of covid-19 pandemic". Though the event took place behind closed doors and in a context of national public health restrictive measures, it counted almost 6,000 participants.

Methods: A rigorous "Covid-19 Prevention and Hygiene Protocol" was drawn up by the local and regional health authorities together with the organizing committee, in order to contain the risk of viral circulation within the venue.

Results: Overall about 20,000 rapid antigen nasal swabs were performed to screen-detect sars-cov2 cases: only 22 of these were found positive, whereas 25 people were quarantined as close contacts.

Conclusions: The experience of "Cortina2021" proves that mass gatherings can take place even in times of epidemic threats, if adequately planned and by providing public health recommendations tailored on the viral circulation foreseen by the time the event is due. If new epidemics should arise in the future, hopefully the public health management of "Cortina2021" may be a template for next mass gatherings to be held, as far as possible, despite the viral circulation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Incidence rates of new SARS-CoV2 positive subjects among the resident population respectively of Cortina (blue line) and of a similar municipality (Agordo) and its surroundings (red line), in the weeks before, during and after the World Championships.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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