Australia training camp locked down after COVID-19 scare

An inconclusive test had been returned by an unnamed official who travelled from Melbourne but subsequent tests have so far been negative, the AOC confirmed on Sunday.

Published : Jul 18, 2021 13:57 IST

Signs from the Australia Olympic team hang on the apartment building hosting Olympics participants at the Athletes Village.
Signs from the Australia Olympic team hang on the apartment building hosting Olympics participants at the Athletes Village.
lightbox-info

Signs from the Australia Olympic team hang on the apartment building hosting Olympics participants at the Athletes Village.

Australia's entire athletics team for the Tokyo Olympics was quarantined in their rooms on Saturday at the team's pre-Games training camp in Cairns following a COVID-19 scare.

An inconclusive test had been returned by an unnamed official who travelled from Melbourne but subsequent tests have so far been negative, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirmed on Sunday.

Athletes have since been permitted to compete in a warm-up event after being kept in their rooms from around midday on Saturday until late that evening.

 

"My understanding is (Athletics Australia) applied an abundance of caution and said to athletes. Right, just until we get this sorted out everyone is going to stay in their rooms," said David Hughes, the AOC's chief medical officer.

"COVID doesn't have legs, it can't move unless people move. So they did the right thing. They told everyone to stay still until we get this sorted."

Athletes and officials at the camp were all placed in isolation in their rooms as Athletics Australia implemented extra testing protocols above those required, Hughes said.

The official, whose inconclusive test was followed by two negative tests, must complete additional tests before rejoining the rest of the team.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment