COVID-19 in Paris: At least 40 Olympians tested positive

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said that Covid is being treated like any other respiratory disease.

August 10, 2024

In a major concern amid growing COVID-19 cases worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that earlier this week at least 40 athletes at the  Paris Olympics had tested positive for the virus.

On Friday, August 9, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said COVID-19 is being treated like any other respiratory disease. It is being treated like flu now, so there is no obligation for any special measures or notifications.

This development comes as WHO declared that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency with much higher vaccination levels now than during the previous two Olympics, it is treated like any other respiratory illness.

Noah Lyles won a bronze with the virus in front of thousands of spectators, and dozens of other athletes at the Games have tested positive. But organizers have only issued health recommendations, and no restrictions, allowing athletes to compete if they wish and are able to.

On Thursday night, August 8, Lyles was carted off the track in a wheelchair after he finished third in the 200 meters. He then said he had tested positive for COVID-19 two days before. On Friday, August 9, he sported a mask while accepting his bronze medal, waving to fans while keeping a distance from the other winners.

Last week, British star Adam Peaty tested positive less than 24 hours after claiming a swimming silver medal. He said he first began feeling ill a day earlier ahead of the 100-meter breaststroke final.

The Australian delegation in Paris said five COVID-19 hit players on its women’s water polo team were cleared to practice when they felt well enough to train.

It is pertinent to note that this is in a sharp contrast with the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which had to be delayed by a year because of the pandemic and were held under intense regulations, and no fans were allowed at any events. Similarly, six months later, the Winter Games in Beijing had even stricter protocols because of China’s zero-tolerance policy.

Besides, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases globally this summer, but because of vaccination and prior infection, most cases are mild unless people are over 65 or have underlying conditions.