The Tokyo Olympics took place three years ago under strict precautions and without fans due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in Paris, there is a new fear of the disease emerging.
The virus has led to athletes withdrawing from events at the Paris Games, with some having to wear masks once again. However, the impact this time around seems to be more contained.
Among those affected are several athletes, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister.
Pallister, who was a hopeful for a medal in the women’s 1500 meters freestyle, had to pull out of the event.
Despite this setback, a team spokesperson mentioned that the decision was made to conserve Pallister’s energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay scheduled later in the week.
Similarly, British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive for the virus just a day after narrowly missing out on a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke event, settling for a silver medal alongside American Nic Fink.
Peaty has expressed his intention to focus on a speedy recovery to be at his best for upcoming relay races.
Following Peaty’s diagnosis, his British teammate Matt Richards reassured, “Adam’s okay, he’s not in a critical condition. It’s just a minor cold.”
Richards emphasized the team’s focus on competing, stating, “We’ll do our best to avoid COVID. If we feel unwell during the competition, we’ll still push through. That’s our mentality.”
Several members of the Australian women’s water polo team tested positive for COVID-19 leading up to the opening ceremony, resulting in their isolation from the rest of the squad.
Despite these challenges, the team managed to secure a victory on Tuesday, defeating Serbia 8-3.
The Tokyo Games were postponed by a year due to the pandemic, while the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics proceeded with stringent measures in place, marking Paris as the first post-pandemic host of the Olympics.
In Paris, there are no stringent protocols or restrictions related to COVID-19.
Anne Descamps, the chief communications director for Paris 2024, stated, “We have a protocol in place where any athlete who tests positive must wear a mask. We remind everyone to adhere to best practices, but the prevalence of COVID cases in France is relatively low.”
British swimmer Jacob Whittle mentioned that his team is progressively tightening their safety measures.
Whittle explained, “We are diligent in sanitizing our hands and wearing masks whenever possible. The only exceptions are during swimming sessions and interviews.”
He added, “We are extra cautious when eating, using transportation, and in communal areas, ensuring not to contract the virus or pass it on to others. We’re just being cautious.”
Canada’s chief medical officer, Mike Wilkinson, noted that their team is maintaining various infection prevention measures that were effective during the pandemic, such as regular hand washing, sanitizing, and good hygiene practices.
Wilkinson further mentioned, “We also have a dedicated team for disinfecting shared spaces throughout the day and specific isolation protocols for individuals who fall ill.”
Reuters/NAN.