Two Australian Olympic skateboarding hopefuls have had their Tokyo dreams dashed after returning positive COVID tests in the United States, along with their coach.
Key points:
- Australian skateboarders flew to the US earlier this month for an Olympic qualifying event
- Skate Australia said the health of three ill team members was being monitored daily
- Two Australian skateboarders had already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics
The skateboarders were part of an Australian contingent who flew to the US earlier this month for an Olympic qualifying event in Des Moines, Iowa.
The entire Australian team was disqualified from the event because they were deemed close contacts of the three team members who tested positive.
One of those who contracted COVID, Charlotte Heath from Victoria, confirmed her diagnosis on Instagram, saying she was “bummed about not being able to compete” in the US event.
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Skate Australia said the health of the three team members was being monitored daily, and they were being isolated from other team members.
Other members of the team have returned multiple negative PCR tests, including Australia’s top-ranked female skateboarder, Poppy Olsen, who has already qualified for Tokyo.
“They’re pretty devastated because myself [and] another member, Keegan Palmer, we were the only two who were really officially locked in to go to the Olympics,” she told RN Breakfast.
“Everyone else, this was pretty much their last shot to get in so pretty devastating for those girls.
“Everyone’s doing alright, our coach is OK, he’s got some cold and flu-like symptoms but he’s doing alright and he’s being monitored.”
Skate Australia said it believed Australia’s medal chances were still high in both the skateboarding disciplines of Skate and Street.
Australian skateboarders who qualify for the Tokyo Olympics will not return to Australia before the games.
The Australian Olympic Committee said it would continue to work with Skate Australia to assist athletes.
