Team Belgium steps up COVID-19 measures as several athletes test positive
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, "a handful of Olympians have tested positive" for COVID-19, forcing them to delay their arrival in Paris. Team Belgium has stepped up measures to prevent further infections, the newspaper writes on Wednesday.
The significant increase in COVID-19 infections this summer is a major concern for Olympic athletes. Unlike the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where a positive test forced the athlete to isolate, athletes infected with COVID-19 will still be able to participate. Nevertheless, becoming ill will negatively impact performance.
That is why the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to protecting its athletes. For example, all journalists will have to wear masks in the mixed zone, and outside visitors will have to show a negative test before they can enter Team Belgium's bubble.
At athletes' request
The athletes themselves asked the BOIC to protect them as much as possible. "They asked us to be as strict as possible 'so that we don't get infected here'," BOIC chief doctor Johan Bellemans told HLN. "Many athletes have been working towards the Olympics for four years. An infection now would be a shame."
"Many athletes have been working towards the Olympics for four years. An infection now would be a shame"
The strict measures have resulted in several positive tests for Belgian athletes planning to travel to Paris. Although they have been forced to delay their arrival, none are seriously ill or see their participation jeopardised, says Bellemans. Who exactly has been infected is not publicly known due to medical confidentiality.
Common cold
Although COVID-19 is not as dangerous as it was in 2021, Bellemans says that getting infected is still a major concern for athletes because of the impact on performance. But if they test positive, they will still be able to compete, he adds.
"We are not going to exclude athletes - if the symptoms are not too severe - from participating. COVID-19 infections have become much less symptomatic than two or three years ago. It has essentially turned into a common cold."
Belgian gymnast Nina Derwael. © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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