COVID-19 Strikes Paris Olympics, Australian Swimmer Pulls Out of 1500m Freestyle After Positive Test

Paris Olympics 2024: COVID-19 is making its presence felt in the 'City of Lights' amid the ongoing Summer Games. With over 10,000 athletes stationed in the French capital for the Olympics, it is being reported that there are less stringent COVID-19 restrictions as compared to the Tokyo Games in 2021. Previously Great Britain Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive for COVID-19, just 24 hours after winning a silver medal in the 100-m breaststroke.

Australian Swimmer Tests Positive

Lani Pallister, a swimmer from Australia has tested positive for COVID-19 and has withdrawn from the women's 1500m freestyle at the Paris Olympics. Much to Australia's dismay, Pallister was a medal contender for the Aussies but she is now isolating at the athletes' village. The 22-year-old Aussie swimmer travelled to the Paris La Defense Arena prior to her scheduled 1500m freestyle heat swim.

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Pallister did warm up in the training pool, but later withdrew as she couldn't give her all. Pallister is also scheduled to participate in the 4x200m freestyle relay team on Thursday and the 800m freestyle heats on Friday. The swimmer who hails from Sydney has been coached by her mother Janelle Pallister who is a Seoul 1988 Olympian and Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Pallister trained her heart out to be at the Paris Games. She underwent a surgery for surgery for supraventricular tachycardia which causes  irregular heartbeat. Pallister was also diagnosed with eating disorder before she could return to elite swimming.

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COVID-19 Wreaks Havoc On Th 33rd Summer Games

Post Lani Pallister's positive test results for COVID-19, it is now being said that the Australian women's water polo squad too might have contracted the virus. After Great Britain Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive for COVID-19, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) remained tight-lipped on the entire matter and did not respond to a request for comment about its guidelines. It is being said that  there are no mask mandates or isolation periods.