Halting the pandemic outside 'CORTINA2021' alpine world ski championships: a challenge for sport and public health in times of COVID-19.

Background: In February 2021 the "Cortina2021" Alpine World Ski Championships took place in the mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy), thus gaining the definition of "first sporting event of global significance in the time of covid-19 pandemic". Though the event took place behind closed doors and in a context of national public health restrictive measures, it counted almost 6,000 participants.

Methods: A rigorous "Covid-19 Prevention and Hygiene Protocol" was drawn up by the local and regional health authorities together with the organizing committee, in order to contain the risk of viral circulation within the venue.