Due to COVID-19 concerns, the United States Women's Gymnastics Team has decided to stay at a private hotel instead of the Olympic Village during the Tokyo Olympics. Gymnast Jordan Chiles and coach Cecile Landi shared the news via Twitter earlier this week.
"It was a decision that we all made together. We know it isn’t ideal for the Olympic experience, but nothing is ideal during a pandemic. We feel like we can control the athletes and our safety better in a hotel setting," Landi tweeted.
The United States Women's Gymnastics Team is cautiously avoiding a COVID-19 outbreak within the team. Prior to the Tokyo Olympics, alternate Kara Eaker tested positive for COVID-19 and another unnamed alternate had to undergo contact tracing protocols.
"It was definitely a disappointment for her and heartbreaking for us," Eaker's father, Mark, told KMBC.
"I think she's come to terms with it already. She's got a positive attitude. She's a strong girl."
Team USA has lost a number of top athletes within the last week including Coco Gauff, Bradley Beal and Katie Lou Samuelson. In addition, basketball stars Jerami Grant and Zach LaVine have had their travel plans delayed due to COVID-19. With the Tokyo Olympics growing closer, health concerns have grown stronger not only in America, but in nations across the globe.
“We understand the public’s concern over the positive cases that have been reported so far, including the athlete’s village, and we will continue to handling these cases appropriately based on protocols we’ve established with the guidance of medical experts,” Tokyo 2020 Olympics President Seiko Hashimoto said.
“Since July 1, so far close to 30,000 people have arrived from overseas, of which 31 people tested positive for Covid, which means the infection rate is roughly 0.1 percent.”
The Tokyo Olympics are set to begin on July 24.
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