In a dual meet, if skin checks are not performed by whom?

In a dual meet, it is crucial that skin checks are performed by a designated on-site, appropriate health-care professional. This procedure ensures that any potential skin infections or conditions that could jeopardize the health of the athletes are adequately assessed. The involvement of a qualified health-care professional is paramount because they have the necessary training and expertise to recognize and evaluate skin conditions, mitigating the risk of spread and ensuring the safety of all participants.

While the head referee and assistant referee are responsible for enforcing the rules and ensuring fair play, they do not have the medical training required to conduct skin checks. Additionally, team coaches, although they have a vested interest in the well-being of their athletes, lack the objectivity and medical qualifications to carry out such checks effectively. Therefore, the responsibility falls solely on health-care professionals who can perform these checks with the necessary expertise and provide informed decisions regarding the athletes' eligibility to compete.