Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
World Athletics releases Health & Safety Guidelines for competitions
As the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) begin to put things in place for the National Senior Championships for August 8-9 this year, World Athletics has published a set of health and safety guidelines to assist competition organisers to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus when staging in-stadium outdoor events during the current pandemic.
World Athletics provides health and safety guidelines to help organisers return to competition.
The guidelines, which were drafted by World Athletics’ Health and Science Department, also address the post-peak period, as described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and are based on scientific and medical knowledge of the virus responsible for Covid-19.
The document offers guidance for professional athletes, support staff, technical officials, workforce, volunteers, medical staff and media. Although it doesn’t include guidelines regarding spectators, the WHO has produced a document and risk-assessment tools for mass gatherings.
Competition organisers are advised to undertake a four-point risk assessment for all accredited attendants. If an individual scores two or higher, it is recommended that they should undergo a medical clearance protocol before the event.
Other recommendations include:
At the stadium
Spectators and accredited personnel should have two completely separate entrances and the flows should not cross. Accredited personnel should only be granted access to the competition venue if wearing a face mask and with their personal hand sanitizer.
Face masks should be worn by everyone in the stadium, with the exception of athletes when warming up or competing in their event.
Warm-up zones should be large open-air areas within a short walking distance of the competition stadium, and access to it should be strictly controlled. Athletes should be invited to enter the warm-up area following a specific timetable. All accredited personnel should wear a mask and wash their hands before entering warm-up zones or dedicated toilets.
Masks should also be worn in call rooms, which should be arranged in an outdoor location. It is also mandatory to disinfect chairs between each use.
In competition
The number of people on the field of play should be kept to a minimum, and officials who will be coming into close contact with athletes should wear protective glasses or a plastic face shield, in addition to their mask.
Once athletes have crossed the finish line, they should try to keep their distance from the public and officials, where possible, until they collect their belongings from the call room.
Specific guidelines for individual disciplines:
– starting blocks should be cleaned between each race
– chlorine should be added to the water jump for the steeplechase
– relay batons should be cleaned between each use, and relay teams should be discouraged from gathering or hugging after a race
– the use of hand sanitizer should be recommended before each attempt in vertical jumps
– officials should clean the landing mat between each jump, using a mop and virucidal solution or use a thin layer of recyclable plastic or tissue that can be placed on the jumping mat-
sand in jumping pits should be mixed with a solution that contains biodegradable and non-skin-aggressive virucide agent
– officials who handle throwing implements should clean their hands or use disposable gloves after each handling
– in combined events, the room used by athletes to recover between disciplines should be open-air, if possible. Coaches should be encouraged to interact with their athletes using electronic devices.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A lesson from the bread lines of America
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- If the American elections of 2024 delivered any one lesson to the rest of the world, it... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
