The state of Nevada should reconsider current COVID-19 restrictions regarding participation in water polo. Based on scientific data, we believe that water polo has been inaccurately classified as a “high risk of transmission” sport. In fact, because water polo is played in a highly chlorinated environment (which kills the COVID-19 virus), and when combined with proper on-deck protocols, water polo is safe and represents an extremely low risk of transmission. 

During water polo, faces and bodies are frequently submerged, immediately killing the virus. The positive effects of chlorine are not just limited to the water. Chlorine gas hovers above the water’s surface acting as an additional disinfectant. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that there is NO evidence of COVID-19 transmission through swimming pools, while the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified only a limited risk of contamination and illness at well-managed facilities. 

Neighboring states, such as California and Arizona, have already acknowledged that water polo can resume safely. NCAA Pac-12 Conference resumed training and competition — with participants including UCLA, USC, California, Stanford, and Arizona State University, all of which are playing without evidence of their actions leading to higher infection rates. Last week, the California Department of Public Health announced additional guidance allowing the state to resume participation opportunities for “all organized youth sports and recreation— including school- and community-sponsored programs, and privately-organized clubs and leagues.” This guideline was not restricted to scholastic competition. 

Water polo events are now taking place across the U.S. while Nevada delays implementation because the sport is not recognized through the NIAA high school system. In Nevada, swimming events are allowed to go forward, though; we can simply apply the same on deck protocols for water polo to ensure an equally safe environment. (Last month, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) elected to remove colored tiers in evaluating the risk of COVID-19 transmission in high school sports and encouraged other sports authorities to do the same.) 

On the international front, Italy was hardest hit by COVID-19’s initial impact. Its oldest technical university, Polytechnic Institute of Turin, issued a 400-page study of 387 sports. The study named water polo as the safest team sport. Similarly, the Spanish Swimming Federation issued a technical paper arguing that “a well-maintained swimming pool is sanitary safe” from COVID-19. The Dutch University Medical center of Utrecht provided further evidence that chlorine inactivated COVID-19. 

Safety protocols are now in place to train and compete safely in the U.S. Science clearly identifies a much lower risk to playing water polo than many other basic activities that are currently allowed. The governing body for water polo in America, USA Water Polo, has issued protocols for a safe return to play based on science and the experiences noted above. In the case of water polo, one size does NOT fit all when applying general public health guidelines to a sport played in an environment hostile to the COVID-19 virus is counterproductive at best. This was evident when the NIAA allowed high risk sports to resume competition with additional measures. Unfortunately water polo was not included as it is not a recognized sport through the NIAA, so those students are still restricted from participating in their sport of choice. However, just recently, lacrosse was reclassified by the state as an “intermediate risk of transmission” when it was previously classified as high risk. 

We should allow water polo to fully open under strict safety rules.

Mark St. John is the head coach of Team Vegas Water Polo and the Olympic Development Program Coordinator for U.S. Water Polo.