After years of anticipation, plus one more due to a global pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics are here. But even with a postponement from 2020, the mood around the Olympics is far not calm.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an atmosphere of uncertainty has gripped the Games, particularly as athletes in Tokyo and other participants have tested positive for the virus.
Here is a list of all those so far who have tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the alteration of their Olympic dreams or the end of them altogether.
- Four members of the Greek synchronized swimming team - August 3: Greece will not compete in synchronized swimming events because four members of the team tested positive for the coronavirus. The entire team has been transferred to a separate hotel in the area and are no longer at the Olympic Village
- Sam Kendricks - July 28: The American world champion pole vaulter tested positive on Wednesday, NBC confirmed live on their main Olympics broadcast. The former Ole Miss star won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games and will not be competing at the 2020 Games.
- Markéta Sluková-Nausch - July 23: Sluková-Nausch is a beach volleyball player from the Czech Republic, and her positive test caused the first beach volleyball match of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled.
- Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi - July 19: Monyane and Mahlatsi, two players for the South African soccer team, have both tested positive for COVID along with team video analyst Mario Masha.
- Ondrej Perusic - July 19: Perusic, a 26 year old beach volleyball player from the Czech Republic, tested positive for COVID while in the Olympic Village in Tokyo.
- Katie Lou Samuelson - July 19: Samuelson, a member of the United States' 3 on 3 basketball team, tested positive for COVID and will be unable to play in the Olympics. She will be replaced on the team by Jackie Young.
- Neil Powell - July 19: Powell, the South Africa Sevens rugby coach, tested positive for COVID upon his arrival in Japan.
- Kara Eaker - July 19: The United States Olympic Committee confirmed that Kara Eaker, an alternate on the U.S. Gymnastics team, tested positive for COVID.
- Coco Gauff - July 18: Gauff, a 17 year old tennis player for the United States, has withdrawn from the Olympics due to a positive COVID test. Gauff had been slated to be the youngest tennis player in the Olympics in over 20 years.
- Team GB - July 18: Six members of the Great Britain Olympic team were reportedly forced to go into isolation after being exposed to a COVID case while on a flight to Tokyo. The athletes in question will be able to leave isolation upon passing two PCR tests.
- Bradley Beal - July 15: Beal and Jerami Grant, two members of the U.S. Basketball team, have both been placed in health & safety protocols. While Beal has been ruled out for the Olympics, there is still hope that Grant will be able to make the trip to Tokyo, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Grant did not test positive for COVID.
- Alex de Minaur - July 10: Alex de Minaur, the No. 17-ranked tennis player in the world and the top-ranked Australian, has withdrawn from the Olympics after a positive COVID test.
