Coco Gauff
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Coco Gauff is the latest star to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics, after it was revealed she had tested positive for coronavirus.
The 17-year-old announced her withdrawal from the Games on Twitter, writing: "I’m disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for Covid and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future."
🙏🏾❤️🤍💙 pic.twitter.com/lT0LoEV3eO
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 18, 2021
Ms Gauff was predicted to be one-to-watch at the Games after her appearance at Wimbledon two years ago where she defeated Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round of the women’s singles.
Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini also pulled out of the Games with a thigh injury on Sunday.
Other big names missing this year include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Simona Halep.
It comes as a number of athletes have tested positive for Covid-19 inside the Olympic village.
The South African Football Association confirmed that Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Thabiso Monyane both posted tested positive for the virus on Saturday, July 17, as did video analyst Mario Masha.
The rest of the team is in quarantine.
The British Olympic Association confirmed that six athletes and two staff members from the athletics team are isolating after an individual tested positive on their inbound flight from London on July 15.
A statement from the British Olympic Association said: “The BOA can confirm that six athletes and two staff members from the athletics team, who through no fault of their own have been identified as close contacts of an individual – not from the Team GB delegation – who tested positive for COVID-19 following their arrival in Tokyo on 16 July 2021.
“This was identified through Tokyo 2020’s reporting service and the group have since started a period of self-isolation in their rooms at the BOA’s Preparation Camp, in line with Tokyo 2020’s Playbook protocols.
“The group all tested negative at the airport and have continued to test negative upon arrival into the country. They are under the supervision of the Team GB medical team, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr Niall Elliott”.
