The sudden cardiac death (SCD) of an athlete is always a dramatic event, and one 
wonders if it could have been prevented by pre-participation cardiovascular 
screening. For years now, a pro/con debate has been taking place on the 
pre-participation screening of athletes: the method, who is responsible, 
cost-effectiveness, obligatory or voluntary screening. In this pro-article, 
which agrees with the "sudden cardiac death can be prevented by routinely 
pre-participation cardiovascular screening"-standpoint, the unique Italian 
experience is the best argument for the support of screening. This study clearly 
demonstrated a reduction in SCD in those athletes who were screened in 
accordance with Italian law.