Further evidence of concern about the impact of Covid on swimming elements of the Olympics appeared on Tuesday night, when the coaching teams of several nations – including Team GB – donned masks in the stand at La Défense Arena. There is no mandatory requirement to withdraw from the Games in cases of Covid, leaving nations to implement their own policies with athletes and staff.
Adam Peaty confirmed he had tested positive after finishing in the silver‑medal position in the 100m breaststroke on Sunday evening. Peaty hopes to recover to take on relay roles at the weekend. Matters quickly extended beyond Team GB.
Australia’s Lani Pallister withdrew from the women’s 1500m freestyle after a positive Covid test. Pallister aims to recover in time to take her place in the Australian team for the 4x200m freestyle relay on Thursday, an event for which they are the favourites. It was confirmed before the Games got under way that five female Australian water polo players had Covid.
As first reported on the swimming website swimswam.com, Team USA’s David Johnston and Luke Whitlock are also believed to have contracted the virus. The report said both swimmers have been moved from the athletes’ village and into a hotel. A Team USA spokesperson said: “We do not share athlete health information with the public. We do not have mandatory masking or testing in place. We encourage our athletes to do whatever makes them most comfortable, working with the team doctors.”
The next reported Covid case was Vlad Stancu of Romania, who is the European junior champion. He is expected to miss the men’s 1500m freestyle this week. Coaches from Romania donned masks before Tuesday night’s session got under way. In the stand, multiple backroom staff members from the Netherlands, Team GB, Australia and Germany did the same. It is understood Team GB’s rules are regarding procedures around any similar illness as opposed to being Covid specific. Matt Richards, who missed out on a 100m freestyle final place for Team GB, offered an upbeat prognosis on Peaty. “Adam’s OK, he’s not dying,” he said. “He’s all right, just a bit of a cold. It’s not fun but he’ll get through it. We’ll avoid it as best we can.” Richards expects Peaty to take his place in both the 4x100m medley and 4x100m mixed medley relays. “I’ve got no doubt on that,” Richards added. “We’ve seen what he’s done over the years. If it’s possible to be at full strength he will be. That’s all there is to it.”
Another Team GB swimmer, Jacob Whittle, said mask-wearing had become common among athletes. “We’re just getting more strict with the precautions,” he said. “Hand sanitising, wearing masks everywhere we can. It’s when we’re swimming and doing stuff like this [talking to the media], that’s the only time we’re not wearing a mask. It’s just being extra cautious when eating and going on buses and in communal spaces. Just being really cautious as to not catch I but also if you’ve got it not to give it to anybody else, so it’s just being careful really.”
