BackgroundMost children are afflicted by a mild SARS-CoV-2-infection course in comparison to adults. However, data about differences between the experienced symptoms of pediatric/adolescent in comparison to adult athletes are sparse. MethodsCompetitive athletes of any age, who presented for preparticipation screening 04/2020-10/2021 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infection were included in this study, stratified for pediatric/adolescent (≤18years) or adult age (>18years) and both age-groups were compared regarding symptoms. ResultsOverall, 157 athletes with former SARS-CoV-2-infection (mean age 22.0 [18.0/27.0]years; 35.0% females) were included in our study 04/2020-10/2021; among them, 40 (25.5%) were pediatric/adolescent and 117 (74.5%) adult athletes.Pediatric/adolescent athletes had significantly more often an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infection (22.5% vs. 6.0%, P=0.003). Symptoms of cold and flu-like symptoms (81.2% vs. 57.5%, P=0.003) and neurological symptoms (83.8% vs. 60.0%, P=0.002) were more often detected in adult athletes, while respiratory and cardiac symptoms were similar prevalent in both groups.Age ≤18 years was independently associated with higher prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infection (OR 5.12 [95%CI 1.71–15.33], P=0.004), but reduced occurrence of cold and flu-like symptoms (OR 0.27 [95%CI 0.12-0.62], P=0.002) and of neurological symptoms (OR 0.29 [95%CI 0.13-0.67], P=0.003). The included athletes were very rarely affected by adverse events. Pneumonia was detected in one adult athlete (0.9% vs. 0%). None of the included athletes were afflicted by myocarditis or other serious adverse events. ConclusionsPediatric/adolescent athletes had more often an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infection or were afflicted by only mild symptoms, while adult athletes suffered from larger symptom-burden predominantly driven by neurologic symptoms.