Guernsey Press

Olympic athletes told to isolate can still compete if they test negative

The International Olympic Committee has issued a clarification to Team GB athletes.

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Team GB stars have been assured they will not be banished from the Tokyo Olympics if they are identified as close contacts of a positive Covid case.

Unease has been growing in the Olympic Village after six members of the British athletics team were ordered to self-isolate this week.

But the International Olympic Committee has issued a clarification that any athletes deemed a close contact will still be able to train and compete provided they continue to submit negative PCR tests.

Olympics – Rio 2016 – Team GB Announcement Athletes – St Katharine Docks
Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England has allayed fears over athletes being ruled out of Tokyo 2020 (Adam Davy/PA)

“Any athlete in the Olympic Games that has been contacted for track-and-trace and is isolating, as long as they presenting negative tests… they are allowed to enter the field of play.”

The news will come as a relief to the six athletes, who have been able to continue training at the Team GB preparation camp in Yokohama, albeit being otherwise restricted to their individual rooms where they must also take their meals.

While athletes deemed close contacts are able to effectively continue training and competing as normal, those who test positive are required to spend a mandatory 10 days in isolation, which is likely to rule the majority out of competition.

England added: “We are a couple of days away from the opening ceremony and not one of those athletes, not one of the support staff, not one of the personnel engaging with Team GB has tested positive.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Preview – Monday July 19th
Strict anti-virus measures continue to restrict athletes’ movement in Tokyo (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We want everyone back home to buckle up. It won’t be an easy ride but it will be exciting and there will be some memories that I’m sure will live long.”

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