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TOKYO (AP) – Kara Eaker, a replacement for the United States women’s gymnastics team, tested positive for COVID-19 at an Olympic training camp in Japan.
Al Fong, the personal trainer of Eaker and his Olympic teammate Leanne Wong, confirmed the positive test in an email to The Associated Press on Monday. The coach said Eaker, 18, was vaccinated against the new coronavirus two months ago.
Eaker and Wong were placed in segregation.
USA Gymnastics has not identified Eaker or Wong, but said in a statement that the athlete testing positive and another replacement would be subject to additional quarantine restrictions.
“The Olympians have moved to separate accommodation and a separate training facility, as originally planned, and will continue to prepare for the Games,” the organization said in a statement. “The entire delegation continues to be vigilant and will maintain strict protocols while in Tokyo.”
The positive test was the latest in a growing string of daily reports from athletes and others testing positive at the Olympics delayed by the pandemic. Eaker is the first American to test positive.
“The health and safety of our athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority. We can confirm that a replacement for the women’s artistic gymnastics team has tested positive for COVID-19, ”the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement. “In accordance with local rules and protocols, the athlete was transferred to a hotel for quarantine. Out of respect for the privacy of the individual, we cannot provide more information at this time.
The four substitutes – Eaker, Wong, Kayla DiCello and Emma Malabuyo – traveled to Japan with the US delegation of six women of world and Olympic champion Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee, MyKayla Skinner and Jade Carey .
The positive test came after Eaker received what has been described as a “false positive” over the weekend. Eaker performed a subsequent test which came back negative before being positive again several times.
Biles, who is also the world champion, and the rest of the regular squad were vaccinated. Skinner, who made the team in the “plus one spot” – meaning she can compete as an individual in Tokyo – after Olympic trials battled both COVID-19 and winter pneumonia latest.
The substitutes cohabit with other substitutes since their arrival in Japan, the competitive team cohabiting with other competitors. All Olympic athletes and coaches have been moved to their own rooms since the positive test, with the Olympic athletes also moving to a new hotel, as originally planned.
The Games are set to open on Friday with a state of emergency in effect in Tokyo, meaning nearly all venues will be fanless as new cases multiply in the capital. The women’s gymnastics team begins the competition on Sunday.
U.S. officials said the test took place as the team was training just outside of Tokyo in the town of Inzai. Team members arrived for camp with great fanfare at Narita Airport last week.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 727 new cases in the capital on Monday. This is the 30th consecutive day that the number of cases was higher than the previous week. The cases last Monday were 502.
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More AP: https://apnews.com/hub/olympic-games and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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