TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Squeo, Maria Rosaria
AU  -  Ferrera, Armando
AU  -  Serdoz, Andrea
AU  -  Mango, Federica
AU  -  Maestrini, Viviana
AU  -  Spinelli, Alessandro
AU  -  Fiore, Roberto
AU  -  Paolettio, Giulia
AU  -  Spera, Francesco Raffaele
AU  -  Ginelli, Daniele
AU  -  Macori, Lucrezia
AU  -  Spada, Raffaella
AU  -  Pelliccia, Antonio
AU  -  Di Gioia, Giuseppe
T1  -  Cardiovascular and metabolic findings in elite athletes undergoing screening for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games: insights from the Italian Olympic Screening Program
PY  -  2026
Y1  -  2026-01-01
DO  -  10.1728/4733.47493
JO  -  Medicina dello Sport
JA  -  Med Sport
VL  -  79
IS  -  1
SP  -  22
EP  -  30
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  1827-1863
Y2  -  2026/06/30
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1728/4733.47493
N2  -  Summary. Background. Although pre-participation screening (PPS) has been extensively studied in summer Olympic athletes, data on winter Olympic disciplines remain limited. The aim of the study is to evaluate cardiovascular and cardiometabolic abnormalities in elite athletes selected for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games and to compare these findings with previous Olympic cohorts. Methods. Athletes who were candidates for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games underwent a comprehensive multidisciplinary PPS evaluation including medical history, ECG, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and full blood analysis. Athletes were classified according to ESC (skill, power, mixed, endurance). Additional investigations were performed when clinically indicated. Results. 340 athletes were enrolled (43.2% female, mean age 26.8±0.3 years). 65 (19.1%) showed cardiovascular abnormalities at first-level screening. Exercise-induced arrhythmias represented the most frequent abnormality (60%), followed by ECG and echocardiographic alterations. After second-level evaluation, cardiovascular alterations were established in 31 athletes (47.7% of those with initial abnormalities), including atrial dilation, aortic root dilation, valvular abnormalities, borderline QT prolongation, and myocardial scar. Only one athlete (0.3% of the total cohort) was deemed not eligible for competitive sport due to extensive myocardial scar associated with arrhythmias. Regarding cardiometabolic profile, 79 athletes (23.2%) exhibited abnormal values, predominantly isolated hypercholesterolemia (77.2%). Conclusions. Olympic winter athletes are not exempt from cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. The implementation of an advanced, multidisciplinary PPS protocol enabled the identification of clinically relevant abnormalities that could impact both athlete safety and performance. These findings highlight the importance of tailored screening strategies in winter sports and support the role of comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation in Olympic athletes.
ER  -