COVID-19 had, and continues to have, a significant impact on the 2020 sporting calendar, with the summer Tokyo Olympics postponed until 2021 and cancellation of a number of other sporting events and tournaments. Athletes and their sports are now slowly returning to a `new normal` during this COVID-19 pandemic, and as athletes return to their sport in the coming months, we are expecting to see a number of athletes who develop suspected COVID-19 symptoms or indeed test positive for COVID-19. In our roles at sporting facilities/sports organisations, what is our responsibility to both the athlete with suspected COVID-19 symptoms and/or who test positive for COVID-19 as well as the other athletes and staff working within this environment? First, to minimise the spread of COVID-19, athletes and their support staff need to ensure appropriate physical distancing, hand hygiene, use of face masks, limiting social contacts and considering modified forms of the sport. Second, over the coming months as athletes return to sport, there are certain symptoms that we should be alert to and have a high index of suspicion for COVID-19. As per current UK public health recommendations, COVID-19 should be suspected in those with a: New continuous cough. A high temperature. Change in taste and/or smell. As well as other reported symptoms including diarrhoea.
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