Three Olympic athletes have tested positive for the cluster virus, with two remaining in the Tokyo Games Village.

Three competitors have tested positive for coronavirus, two of whom have already been admitted to the Olympic Village.

Monday, 19th July 2021

The Games Organising Committee reported on Sunday that three athletes, two of whom are South African football players staying in the Olympic Village, have tested positive for COVID-19, adding to the scepticism around the controversial event set to begin on July 23. It's the first time the virus has infected athletes staying in the hamlet. The organisers did not divulge their identities, but the South African Football Association published a statement clarifying the situation. The identity of the third afflicted participant is unknown because he or she is staying at a designated Games hotel.

"Three members of Team SA's men's under-23 football team have tested positive for Covid-19 and have been placed in isolation at the Tokyo 2020 isolation facility," according to the South African Football Association (SAFA).

"The three members include players Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi, as well as video analyst Mario Masha," it said, adding that "the last round of daily sputum (saliva) testing showed a positive result."

According to the COVID-19 Positive Case List released by the OC, a total of ten cases were found on the day, including five "Games concerned individuals," one contractor, and a journalist.

"A fourth member of Team SA, Sevens rugby coach Neil Powell, has also received a positive test and has been admitted to an isolation facility in Kagashimo, where the Sevens squad is now undergoing a pre-Games training camp," SAFA added.

According to OC data, the overall number of COVID instances relating to the Games has already increased to 55. "When a COVID 19 case is found to be positive, it is time to take action. To identify close contacts, there is a defined procedure. A case is more than just data in a spreadsheet; it prompts action, such as rapid follow-up testing "Christophe Dubi, the Executive Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), remarked.

"We can confidently state that 40,000 COVID 19 tests were completed prior to the 18,000 athletes arriving in Japan for the Games. Then there's the airport screening, which is followed by frequent screening and athlete testing on a daily basis "Added he.

IOC Games Operations Director Pierre Ducrey, on the other hand, stated that there is currently no cause for alarm. "Over 18,000 game participants from around the world have arrived since July 1. Before they arrived, they had all passed at least two tests. They were given another test when they arrived. There is a thorough testing process in place when they arrive "Ducrey stated.

"The Olympic Games participants are the world's most tightly supervised populace," he added. The news came just one day after a non-athlete in the village tested positive for the terrible virus and was escorted out.

"...we think we've got things under control. As a result, if instances are discovered, the individuals are adequately segregated, and we track all close relationships to see if there are any further cases "In a news conference, Hide Nakamura, the chief Games delivery officer for Tokyo 2020, stated.

"Even if all precautions are followed, some positive (coronavirus) cases will occur." There will undoubtedly be cases as a result of the coronavirus issue, which affects the entire planet.

"What matters is that when such situations arise, we correctly segregate them in a systematic manner so that no more transmissions occur."

The prior negative results of the infected athletes show that the virus was incubating in their bodies at the time, according to Team South Africa's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Phatho Zondi.

"They are currently in isolation and will be watched indefinitely," he said. "They will not be able to practise or have any physical interaction with the rest of the squad."

This morning, the first group of Indian athletes for the Games arrived. Archers, two hockey teams, table tennis players, and swimmers were among the 88-strong Indian delegation. The shooters and boxers arrived this morning and in the early hours of Saturday, respectively, from their respective training locations in Croatia and Italy.

The Games will be staged behind closed doors as infection levels rise in Tokyo, which has had over 1,000 cases each day for the past four days. Despite the scepticism, IOC President Thomas Bach has stated that the Games represent "zero risk" to Olympic village residents and the Japanese population as a whole.

On Tokyo Bay, the Olympic Village will accommodate 11,000 athletes and tens of thousands of support personnel.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source

NDTV