Tokyo 2020: Official in IOC Refugee Olympic team tests COVID-19 positive

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday confirmed that the Covid-19 PCR test of an official from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team returned positive before departing for Tokyo. A follow-up test confirmed the result, while the tests of all other members of the team (athletes and officials) returned negative.

In the past few days, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team came together for a 'Welcome Experience' in Doha, Qatar. Twenty-six of the 29 athletes and 11 officials participated in the same. The official, who was immediately isolated by Qatari Public Authorities, is considered asymptomatic and doing well.

The IOC official release stated: "The official was single-vaccinated and followed all COVID-19 countermeasures prior to departure and during the Welcome Experience."

As a consequence, it was decided that the team would currently not travel to Tokyo and will continue their training in Doha while being tested daily. "The IOC, in cooperation with the Qatar Olympic Committee, is supporting the team and evaluating the situation. The next steps will be communicated once they are decided," the release added.

Three athletes could not take part in the 'Welcome Experience' in Doha; two of whom, Ahmad Alikaj (judo) and Abdullah Sediqi (taekwondo) are due to arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday. They are accompanied by coach Alireza Nassrazadany. All three are coming directly from their respective training camps.

( With inputs from ANI )

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