Tokyo 2020: Refugee Olympic team's arrival delayed as official tests positive

Bengaluru, July 15: The Refugee Olympic team's arrival in Tokyo was delayed after an official tested positive for COVID-19 in Doha.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that tests on 26 of the 29 displaced athletes participating at the Games and 11 officials were conducted before their flight to Tokyo after a welcome event in the Qatari capital.

Whilst all the athletes were negative, one official, who was single-vaccinated, was positive, forcing the team to delay its departure.

IOC statement on the Refugee Olympic Teamhttps://t.co/iHkhhJkTRl

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 14, 2021

"A follow-up test confirmed the result, while the tests of all other members of the team (athletes and officials) returned negative," an IOC statement reported.

"The official, who was immediately isolated by Qatari Public Authorities, is considered asymptomatic and doing well," it added.

The team will continue their training in Doha while being tested daily.

"The IOC, in co-operation with the Qatar Olympic Committee, is supporting the team and evaluating the situation. The next steps will be communicated once they are decided," the IOC said.

Three of the Refugee team not in Doha are making their way direct to the Games from their respective training camps.

Official in IOC refugee team for Olympics tests positive for COVID-19

The refugee team in the Olympics was first introduced in the 2016 Rio Games as a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees.

The team is made up of displaced athletes living in 14 countries around the world.

Some 56 athletes were supported by IOC scholarships, of which 29 were chosen to compete in Japan. The selection criteria was based on sporting performance and their refugee status being confirmed by the UN Refugee Agency.

(With Agencies inputs)