Non–SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Viruses in Athletes at Major Winter Sport Events, 2021 and 2022

Abstract

We performed prospective studies on respiratory viral infections among Team Finland participants during the 2021 Oberstdorf World Ski Championships and the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. We enrolled 73 athletes and 110 staff members. Compared with similar studies we conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, illnesses and virus detections dropped by 10-fold.

Keywords

• respiratory infections
• respiratory viruses
• athletes
• COVID-19
• rhinovirus
• common cold