COVID-19 Hits Australia's Women's Water Polo Team Ahead of Paris Olympics

Five players on Australia's women's water polo team for the Paris Olympics have tested positive for COVID-19. Anna Meares, the chef de mission for the Australian team, stated that the cases are confined to the water polo team. Protocols include masks and isolation to ensure the health of the team.

Five players on Australia's women's water polo team set to compete in the Paris Olympics have tested positive for COVID-19.

Anna Meares, the chef de mission for the Australian team in Paris, confirmed that the COVID cases are strictly confined to the water polo team. Meares assured that the affected players are free to practice once they feel well enough to train.

'We treat COVID no differently from any other respiratory illness, but we aim to have our protocols working effectively to manage and minimize these illnesses as part of our Olympic Games participation,' she noted on Wednesday.

The protocols in place include mask-wearing and isolating from other team members outside of training sessions. Meares highlighted that the entire team has undergone testing.

'More broadly, we have our respiratory illnesses protocol enforced and reinforced with all teams as they arrive at our village,' she added.

'Two basic rules—simple hygiene practices that are effective and immediate testing if feeling unwell—remain our priority.' Paris marks the first Olympics following the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021 and Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, both held under strict COVID bubbles and rigorous testing protocols.

(With inputs from agencies.)