July 18, (THEWILL) – A virus scare has gripped the track and field team of the Australian Olympic contingent after a positive COVID-19 test was returned for a member of the support staff of the team. The individual is currently in quarantine pending a final test on Sunday.
The disturbing occurrence is tempered by the consolation that two further tests have come back negative ahead of final Sunday test. Ian Chesterman, who is the Australian team’s chef de mission in Tokyo made it known that the positive test result of the staff member was a weak positive.
But, out of an abundance of caution, they are not taking chances and are applying the strictest protocols and regulations of health and safety guidelines surrounding the handling of each and every occurrence of a positive result.
Currently, the main contingent of the Australian athletics team is at a pre-departure training camp in Cairns, with other members of the squad in Europe and Sydney, also ready to head over to Tokyo.
THEWILL recalls that only recently, world number 15 tennis player Alex de Minaur, who is Australian, pulled out of the Games after testing positive to coronavirus, according to the Australian Olympic Committee.
The Committee is hopeful that the final test results on Sunday for the track and field team member returns negative and the entire contingent has no more positive results to allay all fears of a breakout in the pre-departure camp and disturb the focus of their athletes.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
