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Is there a COVID-19 outbreak at Paris Olympics? Everything you need to know after Adam Peaty, Lani Pallister and others test positive for the virus
COVID-19 is rearing its ugly head at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with more than one reported case so far.
The coronavirus pandemic ravaged the world a few years ago, with the first reported case coming in 2019 and several waves of the disease causing devastation around the world. Many sporting and other events were either canceled or postponed during 2020 and 2021, including the Tokyo Games.
While the quadrennial Games were eventually held in 2021, there were several restrictions in place. Athletes, coaches, and everyone involved were asked to wear masks as a precautionary measure and there were hardly any fans in the stadiums to witness the action.
While normalcy has since been restored around the world, the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 have suddenly seen a handful of COVID-19 cases reported across the city.
COVID-19 hits Australian swimming camp, Lani Pallister pulls out of 1500m freestyle event at Paris Olympics
Lani Pallister was one of Australia's biggest medal hopes at the Paris Olympics. However, she has now been forced to pull out of the women's 1500 meter freestyle event after testing positive for COVID-19. With the women's 1500 meter freestyle heats set to take place on Tuesday, July 30, at La Defense Arena, she had no option but to withdraw. A team spokeswoman confirmed the news and added that the decision was taken to ensure Pallister's energy was saved for the 4x200m freestyle relay, which is scheduled for Thursday.
Pallister, a member of Australia's world-title-winning 4x200 meters freestyle team in Fukuoka last year, is also set to take part in the women's 800-meter freestyle event on Friday.
Briton Adam Peaty tested positive for COVID-19 after winning silver in 100m breaststroke
Lani Pallister is not the first athlete at the 2024 Paris Olympics to test positive for COVID-19. Great Britain's Adam Peaty tested positive for coronavirus one day after clinching the silver medal in the men's 100-meter breaststroke.
The two-time Olympic champion had told reporters in the mixed zone that he woke up on the morning of the event with a sore throat and cough. He also stated that he did not want to use that as the reason for missing out on the gold medal.
Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi took top honors with a 59.03 effort, finishing just 0.02 seconds ahead of Peaty.
Other cases of COVID-19 also reported at 2024 Paris Olympics
There have been a few other positive cases of COVID-19 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Five Australian women's water polo players had tested positive for the virus just days before the opening ceremony. They were forced to isolate from other team members.
Australia's chef de mission Anna Meares said that while all precautions have been taken, she also stated that they do not consider coronavirus as a serious threat.
“We treat COVID no differently to any other respiratory illness but we want to ensure that we have our protocols working as well and dealing with these illnesses and minimizing them is a part and parcel of every Olympic Games,” she said at a press conference.
Notably, there are no strict protocols in place at the Paris Olympics 2024 that would prevent athletes from competing after contracting coronavirus, as organizers view it as a general illness now.
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