COVID-19 Impacts Paris Games: Athletes Withdraw Amid Renewed Precautions

COVID-19 has resurfaced at the Paris Games, forcing some athletes to withdraw from events while others take renewed precautions. Australian swimmer Lani Pallister and British swimmer Adam Peaty are among the affected, as teams implement health measures despite the limited impact compared to earlier Olympics.

Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held amid strict precautions and without fans due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has once again forced athletes to withdraw from events at the Paris Games, prompting others to don masks. This time, the impact is much more limited.

Several athletes have tested positive, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, who had to withdraw from the women's 1,500 metres freestyle to save her energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay. Similarly, British swimmer Adam Peaty, who tested positive after settling for a silver in the 100m breaststroke, aims for a full recovery in time for the relays later in the week.

British swimmer Jacob Whittle mentioned that his team has become stricter with precautions, including hand sanitising, mask-wearing, and avoiding communal spaces. Canada’s chief medical officer Mike Wilkinson emphasized continued hygiene practices and isolation protocols to curb any outbreaks. (Additional reporting by Ian Ransom, Alan Baldwin, and Julien Pretot; Writing by Lori Ewing and Ingrid Melander; editing by Clare Fallon and Ken Ferris)