Aussie Winter Olympics Unaffected by COVID-19 Cases
Australia’s Winter Olympics preparations are proceeding smoothly in northern Italy, undeterred by COVID-19. Despite two staff members testing positive, the team is focused on competing at the Milano Cortina Games, set to begin on February 6.
Current Situation at the Australian Team
The Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre (ETC) in Gavirate is the hub for preparations. The positive cases were reported on January 28 and 31. Neither individual will participate in the Winter Olympics.
COVID-19 Response and Protocols
In response to the positive tests, the Australian Winter Olympic team has implemented robust medical protocols. Chef de mission Alisa Camplin stated that these measures are standard for high-performance environments.
- Protocols are designed to handle infectious diseases.
- Similar measures were used for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
- Plans for incoming team members have been revised to ensure safety.
Close contacts of the infected individuals were tested immediately. All results returned negative, and those individuals received antiviral treatments.
Team Size and Expectations
The Australian contingent will consist of 53 athletes, making it the second-largest team in Australian history for the Winter Olympics. This is the biggest team sent by Australia in 12 years.
As the preparations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the health and safety of all team members while aiming for success at the Milano Cortina Games.
