SPORT FACILITIES AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TIME – SANITARY RESTRICTIONS

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption of sport around the globe. The subject of the paper are the measures taken to reduce the risks of the sanitary safety of people practicing various sports or actively relaxing in open public areas. Aim of study: The problem was considered in terms of the preparation of sports facilities in the new situation, in the extraordinary times when training and sports events were the subject of sanitary restrictions and of changing legal regulations. The authors made a diligent study and deep insight focused on the various consequences of the sanitary regime to sports (training and sports competitions, recreation and education), the obligatory rules of the sanitary regime introduced during the COVID 19 pandemic time and author's recommendations. Materials and Methods: The research was based on critical reading of legal acts (government and local regulations), recommendations of UN WHO and IOC, published works of other researchers (desk research method). An important element of this research was the experience and participant observations of one of the authors focused on the impact of restrictions in the sports club in Warsaw. This way, quantitative and qualitative data (of secondary and primary character) were collected, on the basis of which, after the analysis and interpretation of the data – final conclusions were formulated in the form of author's recommendations for the principles of sanitary safety in sports facilities. Results. The authors have been dealing with this issue since 2020, now so far for the third year already systematically collecting materials on sport, recreation and tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic. Undoubtfully the COVID-19 pandemic had extremely negative impact on the sports. Nevertheless, it should be said, that physical activity, practicing sports during the coronavirus outbreak – within the limits of the sanitary restrictions – had important role in developing physical and mental health, vitality and individual spirit.