Exemplifying successful sports event amidst the pandemic: the case of the Turkish women's football super league

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to define the COVID-19 positivity rate, transmission routes and clinical symptoms in the group of female football players competing in the Turkish Women's Football Super League, where the bubble protocol was implemented during the full lockdown period when the cases peaked. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out to include a total of 557 participants during the Turkish Women's Football Super League 3‐week event (April 17-May 5, 2021). This event was held within the scope of the bubble protocol developed for sports events during the full lockdown period of the pandemic. Regular reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) screenings were carried out as part of a standard procedure (48-72 hours prior to hotel check-in, upon arrival, and the day before matches) to assess the possible presence of the COVID-19 virus carriage. Results: In the pre-arrival test, COVID-19 was detected in 5.03% of football players (19/377). A positivity rate of 0.27% (1/367) was found in football players at the entrance to the hotel facilities. Of the tests performed to footballers during the "Bubble", COVID-19 has been detected in 0.54% (2/367). Tests of 1 team manager and 2 referees, who were in the "bubble protocol" but not in contact with players, were positive. All 6 detected cases were asymptomatic. 5 cases later showed flu-like symptoms. It was revealed that 5 out of 6 cases had contact with a positive case before the tournament. Conclusion: The bubble protocol, which includes testing, advanced hygiene, social distancing and daily symptom monitoring strategies can minimize the transmission of COVID-19 and provide a safe environment for sports organizations.