Isolation requirements for COVID-19 close contacts risked discouraging elite athletes and support staff from travel to international sports events hosted in the UK during 2021.
Objectives: The purpose of this study, in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency, was to develop and implement a risk assessment and daily workplace testing approach in elite sporting events for individuals who would otherwise be excluded by quarantine.
Methods: Longitudinal study of athletes and staff identified as close contacts during travel (i.e., flights, train) to specific international sports events. A risk assessment was undertaken, and participants categorised as ‘low’ or ‘high’ risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 based on their exposure circumstances. High risk individuals remained in 10-day isolation, whereas those of low risk underwent daily symptom and lateral flow testing, enhanced workplace mitigation and selected work activities were permitted.
Results: Of 29,514 event personnel, 202 travel-related close contacts were reported to the study team, of which 126 were eligible from 40 events in 7 sports. Low risk status was assigned to 105 individuals (83.3%), and high-risk status to 21 individuals (16.7%). No low-risk individuals tested positive in over 280 rapid antigen tests.
Conclusion: International sports events rely on athlete and support staff availability, with economic consequences of event cancellation or postponement. Our study showed no detected SARS-CoV-2 in low-risk close contacts, and enabled their sustained participation. This multidisciplinary intervention appears to have been effective, enabling large-scale event continuation, whilst minimising risk to athletes, employees and the wider public.