Chapter 7 – Security for the Fans and Athletes with Special Needs

This chapter looks at the special needs of both fans and athletes. The chapter works under the assumption that travel involves medical risk, from catching colds to food poisoning to issues of water-related illnesses. What are the unique risks that sports travelers face? How are these different from other travelers’ risks? What are the medical issues for teams that spend a great deal of time away from home? What legal issues are involved when a fan is injured and who has legal responsibility. These issues would range from sleep issues to nutritional issues and the impact of a constantly changing environment on the human body. The chapter then moves on to the Paralympics. It not only addresses these post-Olympic Games but enters into the controversy of whether these games are positive or negative for athletes who have special physical needs.