[Illness in the Norwegian team during the Olympic winter games 2006 in Torino]

Illness is of major concern for elite level athletes during championships. Much was done to prevent illness in the Norwegian team during the Olympic Winter Games in Torino 2006. Nevertheless, some athletes became ill. This article discusses illness during the Games from both medical and socio-cultural perspectives. Eight athletes in a team of 74 were not able to compete in one or more competitions, while four or five probably competed with reduced levels of performance. Observations have given the impression that efforts to prevent illness and infection may have adversely affected the performers. Athletes and trainers have confirmed this observation.