In a setback to the Australian swimming team competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, five-time World Championships gold medallist Lani Pallister tested positive for COVID-19 and withdrew from the women’s 1500m freestyle event before the heats began on Tuesday.
“She (Pallister) has tested positive for COVID and has made the decision to save her energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay on Thursday,” the Australian Olympic Committee announced on their social media handles.
Pallister’s withdrawal leaves Moesha Johnson as the only Australian woman in the 1500m race. The 22-year-old Australian swimmer was also due to compete in the women’s 800m freestyle, scheduled for Friday.
At the 2022 World Championships (short course), Pallister became the first female swimmer to win three freestyle gold medals at one edition by winning the 400m, 800m and 1500m events. She was one of the medal favourites at the Paris 2024 swimming events.
Pallister is expected to team up with the likes of Paris 2024 gold medallists Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus for the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay, in which Australia have clinched a medal consistently at every Olympics since Beijing 2008.
Australia have been dominating swimming events at Paris 2024 with three gold and as many silver medals already. The swimming events at Paris 2024 conclude on August 5.
Last week, five players of the Australian women’s water polo team tested positive for COVID-19.
“We treat COVID no differently to any other respiratory illness but we want to ensure that we have our protocols working as well and dealing with these illnesses and minimising them is a part and parcel of every Olympic Games,” Australian chef de mission Anna Meares said during a press conference last week.
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Publish date : 2024-07-30 11:28:00
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Author : pksportsnews
Publish date : 2024-07-30 11:55:11
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