The Australian Olympic Committee has slammed its own government for the decision to force the country's sporting heroes to quarantine for four weeks.
They say the 'cruel' demand could have a serious impact on the mental health of its athletes.
The AOC are furious that their stars - who claimed 46 medals in Japan, including 17 golds - face a further lockdown period and have released an angry statement hitting out at the authorities.
They say it goes against all medical advice and want a u-turn after months spent at the highly-constrained Tokyo Games.
A further isolation could have serious consequences, they have warned.
The AOC say the South Australian Government's and National Cabinet's decision flies in the face of expert medical advice.
Chief executive Matt Carroll said: "While other countries are celebrating the return of their athletes, we are subjecting ours to the most cruel and uncaring treatment.
"They are being punished for proudly representing their country with distinction at the Olympic Games.
"We are all promoting the obvious benefits of vaccination, but this important layer of protection is not working in favour of these athletes, given this decision. By any measure, this group of returning Olympians is extremely low risk.
"Not only are our Olympians fully vaccinated, but they have also been living in a highly controlled bubble in Tokyo, taking the upmost precautions – tested daily over many weeks."
He added: "We have received no explanation as to why our application on behalf of these athletes has been rejected. If you run an exemption process, presumably that includes the prospect than exemptions can be granted based on scientific advice."
He is unhappy that numerous attempts to resolve this matter over some weeks have been without success.
"We have received no response related to the expert advice we have provided," he added.
"Athletes subject to home quarantine will not be permitted a welcome home hug. Either the athlete's family must move away, the athlete must find a way of isolating from the family or the entire family goes into quarantine.
"That is not an acceptable option for someone who is fully vaccinated and who has already just completed two weeks' quarantine."
AIS Chief Medical Officer Dr David Hughes says while he respects the South Australian process, the decision to reject the athletes' application is ill-considered.
He said: "To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is in my opinion unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified. It poses a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals concerned."
