COVID-19 Strikes Again: Several Athletes Test Positive At Paris Olympics

Several athletes have tested positive for COVID-19, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister. Pallister, a medal contender in the women's 1500 metres freestyle, had to withdraw from the event, Reuters reported.

A team spokeswoman mentioned that this decision was made to conserve her energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay starting on Thursday.

Image Courtesy: @lanipallister/Instagram

Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held without fans due to COVID-19, the virus is again affecting athletes at the Paris Games. This time, however, the impact is more contained.

British swimmer Adam Peaty also tested positive a day after narrowly missing out on gold in the 100m breaststroke. Peaty shared silver with American Nic Fink and stated he would focus on a "fast, full recovery" to perform well in upcoming relays.

The news of the swimmers testing positive comes less than a week after five players on the Australian women's water polo team tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Paris 2024 news release.

Several Australian women's water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 before the opening ceremony, leading them to isolate from other team members. Despite this setback, the team played on Tuesday and defeated Serbia 8-3.

The Tokyo Games were delayed by a year due to COVID-19, while the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics had strict precautions. Paris marks the first post-pandemic Olympics without stringent protocols or restrictions around COVID-19.

"We have a protocol (that) any athlete that has tested positive has to wear a mask and we remind everyone to follow best practices but in terms of monitoring COVID, cases are quite low in France," said Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 chief communications director.

Although the world is no longer under a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Olympic Games come as a wave of COVID-19 infections has hit the United States. Even President Joe Biden recently tested positive for the disease.

The Paris Games are proceeding with fewer disruptions compared to previous events affected by COVID-19. Athletes and teams are taking necessary precautions while focusing on their performances.