The Australian Olympic Committee has expressed sympathy for Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur following news of a second positive PCR test conducted prior to his departure for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Alex undertook both the 96-hour and 72-hour
PCR test as required by the Japanese authorities and unfortunately both returned a positive result.As a consequence, Alex is unable to travel to Japan and join the Australian Olympic Team. He was due to fly to Tokyo on 18 July from his base in Spain. Alex has not been in contact with other members of the Australian Olympic Team since returning a negative test on July 5th.
AOC Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman says he is disappointed for Alex.
“Naturally, we have great sympathy for Alex being in this situation so close to the Games. We know he loves representing his country and his sport and that he was very much looking forward to his first Olympic Games.”
“But this is the reality of the world right now. Japan and the Olympic movement needs effective measures to ensure a safe and secure Games.
“The safety of the Australian Olympic Team and the Japanese community is paramount and the system put into place has done its job, sadly for both us and for Alex.”
The AOC will officially inform the International Tennis Federation (ITF) today. The AOC remains hopeful that Alex’s doubles partner John Peers will still be able to compete at the Olympic Games with a different Australian partner - this decision will be based on quota roll-down rankings and is now in the hands of the ITF.
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