Team GB chief hopeful that quarantined athletes can resume their training soon
following their inbound flight on July 16, 2021.
"This was identified through Tokyo 2020's reporting service and the group have 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."
The news is certain to adversely affect preparations for the team, the majority of whom are staying in Yokohama alongside athletes from other sports including swimming, boxing and gymnastics prior to their gradual move into the Olympic Village prior to their respective competitions.
Team GB chef de mission Mark England said: "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 to resume training again soon."
The news comes on the same day that two South African football players became the first to test positive for the virus within the Olympic Village. It comes amid mounting scepticism in Tokyo - which has recorded more than 1,000 new cases for the fourth straight day - over International Committee Olympic president Thomas Bach's insistence that the risk of the Japanese public being infected with the virus by a Games participant is "zero".
The duration of enforced isolation for a person deemed to be a close contact of a positive case is determined on a case-by-case basis by the Japanese government.
Last week, the South African rugby sevens team were forced to quarantine for four days as a result of being considered close contacts of a passenger who tested positive on their flight to Tokyo.
Although 17 of the 18 affected personnel were subse quently allowed to continue to their training camp, it is understood that one of their number remains in quarantine.
The affected footballers, named by the South African Football Association on Sunday as Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi, were among ten new Gamesrelated cases announced yesterday.
A Games official was the first individual based in the Village to test positive on Saturday, on the same day Bach insisted the Games will be "safe and secure".
Also among the ten new positive cases connected to the Games is a third athlete who tested positive on arrival in Japan. The other positive cases were five “Gamesrelated personnel”, one member of the media and a contractor.
A third, non-playing member of the South African squad also tested positive upon arrival in Tokyo.