According to a study revealed by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, three of Tokyo’s new Olympic sports are in the top 5 of the most dangerous disciplines.
Three of the new sports introduced to the program of the Tokyo Olympics have also entered the top-5 of the most dangerous Olympic sports, just behind boxing and BMX racing, reveals a study published on Wednesday.
According to the study cited by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 27% of boxers and BMX riders were injured at the Tokyo Games (July 23-August 8, 2021). But the next three sports in the list are new Olympic sports: BMX freestyle (22% injuries), skateboarding (21%) and karate (19%).
High risk of injury
A little further down the injury rankings comes another new sport, rock climbing, with 15% injuries.
Across all disciplines, the medical services and team doctors reported 1,035 injuries (out of 11,315 athletes) and 438 cases of illness, ie around 9% injured and 4% sick. This injury rate is comparable to that of previous editions of the Games, notes the British newspaper: 8% in Rio-2016, 11% in London-2012 and 10% in Beijing-2008.
In total, a large majority (58%) of injuries occurred in competition, 34% in training, and the rest during the warm-up or after the event. The least dangerous sports during the Games were diving, road cycling, rowing, open water swimming and shooting, each with between one and two percent injuries.
Among the patients, only 18 athletes (i.e. less than 0.2%) tested positive for Covid-19. At the Paralympic Games, injury rates fell from 12% in Rio and London to 8% in Tokyo, but recorded injuries were more serious, the British Journal of Sports Medicine study noted.
These results show, according to the researchers cited in the study, that it is “urgent” to take preventive measures for Paralympians, such as adapting the rules and improving the preparation, planning and recovery of athletes.
