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Introduction
One of the primary roles of any International Federation Medical Committee is to promote athlete health. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) Medical Rules provide clear guidelines on the protection and promotion of athlete health during training and competition. 1 These include the planning and delivery of medical services as well as research projects in Sports Medicine and Science to promote health and reduce the risk of injury and illness.
The planning and delivery of comprehensive medical services to athletes, officials and spectators attending a major international event is carried out in close collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee Medical Commission (LOCMC). According to the FINA Medical Rules, guidelines must be established regarding the necessary medical support depending on the nature of the sports activities and the level of competition. 1 These should address but not be limited to: The medical coverage of training and competition venues and how this is organised;
The necessary resources (supplies, premises, vehicles, etc);
The procedures in case of emergencies;
The system of communication between the medical support services, the organisers and the competent health authorities;
Cooperation with local public health authorities to ensure safety of the participants and local community.
Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital provided the medical services to the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) creating a unique opportunity for collaboration in the planning and delivery of medical care in an integrated way and in accordance with the FINA Medical Rules. In addition to these services, FINA and Aspetar also collaborated on education and research projects during the event as a further extension of the comprehensive athlete health management remit.
This paper provides an overview of the medical services and collaborative projects at the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), thus facilitating the planning and delivery of LOCMC medical services of future international sporting events of similar size and scope, and to realise the FINA objective of promoting athlete health.
Planning and delivery of LOC medical care
The delivery of medical care at major sporting events presents a number of challenges to the LOC and to the international sport governing body. It is therefore important to implement detailed collaborative strategies to facilitate logistical planning and execution to account for and manage the challenges....