Two Paralympians have been given special permission to train and compete for Great Britain despite being identified as close contacts of a positive Covid-19 case.
Team GB managed to avoid any virus cases among athletes or staff from 20,000 tests this summer during the Olympics – but it's emerged a member of the para-swimming squad’s support team tested positive after arriving in Japan 10 days ago.
The two athletes who were 'pinged' however, have been granted dispensation to train and will get their chance to compete in Tokyo. They are currently sanctioned to alternative measures in the Athletes Village, including separate transport to venues, eating meals in their rooms and additional testing.
Paralympics GB chef de mission Penny Briscoe said all guidelines had been followed: “We followed the same protocols as Team GB in the build-up.
“We are testing daily and are following protocols that were developed in the UK and have kept athletes so well in the last 16 months.
“The process that’s in place is very robust and there’s 100% compliance from athletes in terms of being part of a safe, secure and successful Games.”
All British Paralympians have been offered the vaccine and the take-up is believed to be in the region of 99%.
However, the development is likely to put athletes on red alert with Japan now hitting record numbers of daily Covid cases - and 144 positives are already linked to the Paralympics.
Briscoe added: “Some of the health impairments our athletes have do put them at greater risk.
“Each athlete has been subject to a risk assessment, especially those with higher support needs. As a team, there is respect for the health and wellbeing of everyone else.
“We are doing everything we can to protect the health and wellbeing of the team but also the volunteers, the workforce and the Japanese public.”
The opening ceremony takes place tomorrow at 12pm UK time, with Ellie Simmonds and John Stubbs to be flag bearers for Team GB.
Matching the feat of 147 medals at Rio 2016, including 64 golds, will prove difficult but expectations are still high of another successful Games.
“The Olympics has reminded us of the power of sport to inspire and unite,” said UK Sport chief executive Sally Munday.
“There’s a glow that will already be around Great Britain in Tokyo, and the Paralympians are going to create even more extraordinary moments and realise their own dreams.”
