Doha: An official of the International Olympic Committee Refugee Team has tested the positive Covid-19 here, which leads to the delay in their travel plans for the Tokyo match even though all the others have returned negative results for now.
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The IOC Refugees Olympic team gathered for ‘Welcome’ Experience ‘in Doha, Qatar.
Twenty-six of 29 athletes and 11 participating officials,” Read the IOC statement.
“When taking the Covid-19 PCR test before leaving for Tokyo, a test of a positive official.
The follow-up test confirmed the results, while testing all other team members (athletes and officials) returned negatively,” it was added.
Three athletes cannot take part in ‘welcome experience’ in Doha and two of them – Ahmad Alikaj (Judo) and Abdullah Sediqi (Taekwondo) – will arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday.
“They were accompanied by coach Alireza Nassrazadany.
All three came directly from their respective training camps,” IOC said.
The official, which has been isolated by Qatar’s public authority, is considered asymptomatic and is fine.
“The official was vaccinated by single and followed all Covid-19 prevention before departure and during the welcome experience,” said IOC.
“As a consequence, it was decided that the current team would not travel to Tokyo and will continue their training in Doha while being tested every day,” he added.
The refugee team at the Olympics was first introduced to the Rio 2016 game as an award for the courage and perseverance of all refugees.