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In the online discussion, organized by the NTA, in cooperation with the Hellenic General Secretariat of Sports, on the topic "Implementation of the Health Protocols for the response to Covid-19 pandemic in Sport and future challenges", more than 200 members of Sports Federations, sports centres, gyms and professionals active in the field of sport, had the opportunity to be informed about the new conditions and challenges regarding the compliance with the health protocols, in order to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in sport.
The Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, addressed the event, who listed all the measures that have been taken consistently and diligently since the beginning and for the past year and a half to protect the sports community and facilitate a coordinated and gradual return to sporting activities, stressing that "in order to return to normality as soon as possible, it is important for all of us to get vaccinated. Vaccination is our greatest weapon to get rid of this dangerous enemy for good. Our athletes, whose attitude is a model for society, must step forward, set an example and highlight the value of vaccination.
Now we have to stand united, follow the experts’ instructions, so that we can finally return to normality and together we can plan a bright future for sport in our country".
The NTA Governor Mr. Angelos Binis, highlighted the NTA’s contribution to preventing the spread of the pandemic through the implementation of a horizontal Audit Programme, as well as the excellent cooperation between the Authority and the Hellenic Police. He noted that "we are focusing our efforts on prevention and raising awareness among all those involved in the pandemic and public health protection. In this context, in addition to the audits we are implementing in sports and training centres and stadiums to support the overwhelming efforts of public health professionals, we are trying to raise awareness among those on the front line. We all continue together, monitoring the epidemiological data and complying with protective measures to help the sports sector regain the normality it deserves".
The General Secretary of Sports and Coordinator of the Scientific Health Committee/ General Secretariat of Sports, Mr. George Mavrotas, presented the work of the Scientific Health Committee, which is responsible for drafting health protocols in cooperation with the Expert Committee and the Hellenic National Public Health Organisation (EODY). He outlined the steps taken to gradually restart sport and the protective measures implemented to deal with the pandemic, as well as the strengths and weaknesses identified during their implementation. He also stressed the importance of vaccination, especially for athletes, as one of the "weapons" for a safe return to competition.
In particular, Mr. Mavrotas said: "Our main concern since the beginning of the pandemic was to achieve the safe and, as far as possible, uninterrupted operation of sport. And in this direction, we have been working in the General Secretariat since the beginning of the pandemic. Throughout this period, we have been working closely with National Public Health Organization (EODY), the Experts’ Committee, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection and, based on international experience, we are trying to ensure the appropriate conditions for safe sport in pandemic conditions. As our contacts abroad show, our country has the best international practices for dealing with the pandemic in sport. Our fight is a daily one, because the epidemiological data are constantly changing and we are obliged to adapt to them. Today, however, we have an important "weapon" in the fight against the pandemic, and it is none other than the vaccine, which is a rational choice for athletes to be able to continue their sporting activities with greater protection against Covid-19".
Mrs. Vasiliki Siniosoglou, Scientific Associate of the General Secretariat of Sports in charge of Covid-19 issues and member of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sport, referred to the operation of the Covid-19 Helpdesk set up at the General Secretariat of Sport since the beginning of the pandemic and presented the ways of informing the interested parties and of communicating with the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports. She noted that "since May 2020, the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports has received and replied to more than 7,000 emails, with short response time, trying to provide guidance within the framework of the restrictive measures applied, to provide clarifications to the legitimate questions of the sporting world, as well as to examine in detail the relevant health protocols. In addition, more than 9,000 telephone calls from the public, federations, employees, athletes, the wider public sector and private companies have been answered during this period".
Mrs. Aikaterini Liouli, Head of the NTA’s Health and Welfare Directorate, referred to the audits conducted in sports facilities during training sessions and matches. She pointed out that "from September 2020 until today, audits have been conducted in eight (8) sports facilities in amateur football league, Super League 1, 2 and Football League, nineteen (19) tennis courts during training sessions, eight (8) swimming pools (6 indoor and 2 outdoor) during training or therapeutic exercises, two (2) sports facilities during basketball matches, as well as a boxing sports centre. The on-site inspections established that the operators were in compliance with the measures in force and the instructions of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat to limit the spread of Covid-19, while in individual cases of non-compliance with the measures during games and training sessions, strict recommendations were made for their compliance and the proper operation and facility use".
Mr. Konstantinos Chalioris, Coordinator General Manager of the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens ‘Spiros Louis’ (OAKA) and member of the Scientific Health Committee of the General Secretariat for Sport, spoke about the ‘Spiros Louis’ Athletic Centre, which he described as the largest sports facility in the country and in recent years, its image presented conditions of abandonment, destruction and lack of a specific strategic plan. He noted that "the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the operation of the OAKA, but at the same time, the opportunity was provided for the reconstruction and maintenance of the infrastructure. The health conditions led to the need for pandemic management and a change in the way sports activities are conducted. As part of the implementation of health protocols, all necessary measures of prevention and avoidance of Covid-19 were followed, such as the use of masks in all areas, PCR testing and facilities’ disinfection. Facility staff were able to work remotely to avoid overcrowding. All sports facilities were reopened with all necessary protective measures and with the contribution of the Greek National Public Health Organisation (EODY). The efforts of the General Secretariat for Sports were coordinated by means of constantly updated health instructions, which were faithfully implemented by the OAKA".
Mr. Odysseas Paksinos, Colonel (Air Force) Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist, a member of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, referred to the significant economic and ethical impact of all event’s, the reduction of financial rewards and the cancellation of efforts for distinctions for certain athletes. He stated: "The Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, realizing the benefits of physical activity in any period, but especially in times of restriction, has tried to restart sports safely based on epidemiological and medical data at the time. The return to sport took place in three phases: a) before the appearance of the tests, exercise was individual, with distancing and masks, taking advantage of the literature that gave protection rates of over 90% , b) after the appearance of the tests, the possibility of restarting team sports was given, initially with procedures of strict restrictions and closed bubble-type events, and then, gradually, with greater freedoms, c) the emergence of vaccines and the strengthening of immunity in society as a whole, made it possible for professional and then amateur sport to be almost completely restored”.
During the event, an online voting was conducted through the online application "Mentimeter", with the results led to an interesting exchange of views among the speakers.
The discussion was moderated by Argyro (Roula) Stefanakis, journalist and Head of the Press and Public Relations Department of the General Secretariat of Sports.