Team GB’s Olympics preparation thrown into chaos as six track and field athletes go into isolation

Team GB’s Olympics preparation thrown into chaos as six track and field athletes and two staff members go into isolation after a passenger in flight to Tokyo tests positive for Covid

Six Team GB track and field team athletes are isolating after a passenger on their flight to the Tokyo Olympics tested positive for Covid-19.

Sportsmail understands that the group does not include medal hopefuls Dina Asher-Smith, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, Adam Gemili, Andy Pozzi, Elliot Giles, Keely Hodgkinson or Dan Rowden.

Two members of staff have also been affected.

Members of Team GB check in at Heathrow Terminal 5 before they depart London for Tokyo

The group were on a flight that landed in Japan on Friday.

The news comes as a huge blow ahead of Friday’s Opening Ceremony and raises further questions over the decision to host the Games during a pandemic. It is thought that those affected may be able to train should they return two negative tests in 48 hours.

A spokesperson for the British Olympic Association said: ‘The BOA can confirm that six athletes and two staff members from the athletics team, who through no fault of their own have been identified as close contacts of an individual – not from the Team GB delegation – who tested positive for COVID-19 on their inbound flight on 15 July 2021.

The two athletes in the Village are the first  to be reported positive, adding to the uncertainty around the Games

The two athletes in the Village are the first  to be reported positive, adding to the uncertainty around the Games

‘This was identified through Tokyo 2020’s reporting service and the group have since started a period of self-isolation in their rooms at the BOA’s Preparation Camp, in line with Tokyo 2020’s Playbook protocols.

‘The group all tested negative at the airport and have continued to test negative upon arrival into the country. They are under the supervision of the Team GB medical team, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr Niall Elliott.

‘The BOA continue to operate extensive COVID-19 testing protocols and mitigation measures and follow all respective health guidance from the Government of Japan, TOCOG, the IOC and our local partners in Japan.’

Team GB’s Chef de Mission, Mark England, added: ‘This is disappointing news for the athletes and staff, but we absolutely respect the protocols in place. We will offer them every support during this period and we are hopeful that they will be able resume training again soon.’

‘We kindly request respect for the privacy of the individuals concerned.’

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