Australia's Ella Beere and Alyssa Bull compete in the women's kayak double 500-meter heats at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. - AP
PARIS/SYDNEY (Bernama-dpa): More than 40 coronavirus infections or other respiratory illnesses has hit the Australian Olympic team during the Summer Games in Paris and some athletes competed despite positive tests, officials have announced.
Citing the Australian news agency AAP, it reported Olympic 200 metre breaststroke silver medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook is among those who fell ill. The indoor swimming events in Paris are now over.
Australian swimming head coach Rohan Taylor said Australian athletes took part in competitions despite testing positive for Covid-19, while others chose not to compete.
It makes a massive change to the Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed a year until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. There were also heavy restrictions during Japan's Games, including very few fans and positive tests ruling out athletes.
Paris has had no such restrictions with the risk of serious disease waning over recent years with regards to Covid-19.
According to Australian team manager Anna Meares, two PCR test devices were used at the Olympic Village in order to be able to react quickly to coronavirus infections.
Team doctor Carolyn Broderick said a total of 84 PCR tests had been carried out by Monday, around half of which were positive.
To minimise the risk of infection, the Australian athletes will only eat dinner in the dining room of the Olympic Village.
Breakfast and lunch will be prepared in an area reserved for the team.
Covid-19 cases among swimmers and in the village may be more widespread than reported. British swimmer Adam Peaty was one positive test. - Bernama-dpa
