title: Sports injuries and illnesses in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systematic surveillance of injuries and illnesses is the foundation for developing preventive measures in sport.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the injuries and illnesses that occurred during the XXII Olympic Winter Games, held in Sochi in 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recorded the daily occurrence (or non-occurrence) of injuries and illnesses (1) through the reporting of all National Olympic Committee (NOC) medical teams and (2) in the polyclinic and medical venues by the Sochi 2014 medical staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NOC and Sochi 2014 medical staff reported 391 injuries and 249 illnesses among 2780 athletes from 88 NOCs, equalling incidences of 14 injuries and 8.9 illnesses per 100 athletes over an 18-day period of time. Altogether, 12% and 8% of the athletes incurred at least one injury or illness, respectively. The percentage of athletes injured was highest in aerial skiing, snowboard slopestyle, snowboard cross, slopestyle skiing, halfpipe skiing, moguls skiing, alpine skiing, and snowboard halfpipe. Thirty-nine per cent of the injuries were expected to prevent the athlete from participating in competition or training. Women suffered 50% more illnesses than men. The rate of illness was highest in skeleton, short track, curling, cross-country skiing, figure skating, bobsleigh and aerial skiing. A total of 159 illnesses (64%) affected the respiratory system, and the most common cause of illness was infection (n=145, 58%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, 12% of the athletes incurred at least one injury during the games, and 8% an illness, which is similar to prior Olympic Games. The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially between sports.
authors: Medical & Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Torbjørn
authors: T
authors: Soligard
authors: Department of Sports Medicine, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Kathrin
authors: K
authors: Steffen
authors: Department of Academic Orthopaedics, Trauma and Sports Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Palmer-Green
authors: International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Aubry
authors: Institute of Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Marie-Elaine
authors: ME
authors: Grant
authors: Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Willem
authors: W
authors: Meeuwisse
authors: Fédération International de Natation (FINA), Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Margo
authors: M
authors: Mountjoy
authors: Medical & Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Budgett
authors: Medical & Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland Department of Sports Medicine, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Engebretsen
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D038161:Snow Sports / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: elite athletes; illness; injury; prevention; surveillance; winter sports