A two-time world pole vault champion, Sam Kendricks will miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed on Thursday.
Official Statement
Kendricks won back-to-back gold medals at the 2017 and 2019 world championships. He was also the bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sam was one of the main contenders for the medal in the Tokyo Olympics. He is the third athlete from the USA to be ruled out of the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19. Previously, beach volleyball players Taylor Crabb and Kara Eaker were also tested positive.
Entire Australian team put in isolation
According to the reports, three team members were in close contact with Kendricks. After few hours, the Australian Olympic Committee announced the trio had tested negative. The trio will be in isolation, allowed to resume practice under strict distancing protocols. As a precautionary measure, the entire 54-person team (41 athletes and 13 officials) is in isolation.
“Members of Australia’s track and field team at the Tokyo Olympic Games are isolating in their rooms as a precautionary measure following news of a Covid-positive finding with a member of the US track and field team,” the Australian committee said.
“Once again, abundant caution and our strict protocols continue to keep the team safe. We want every Australian athlete to be in a position to have their Olympic moment.” Australian team leader Ian Chesterman said.
Kendricks’ father and coach Scott Hendricks posted a heartwarming message for his son on Instagram. He wrote: “Bad news for our son. Sam is disqualified from the Olympic competition because the Japanese officials say he is positive for COVID-19. Sam isn’t sick and we aren’t worried about him. The testing system is very rigid over there. The Japanese officials won’t allow for another PCR test for 6 days so the competition will be over. Sam is in the quarantine hotel where he hopes to at least work out in his room because the season isn’t nearly over. Life is full of tests and we will pass this one. God is so good and we always trust him. Love you, Sam. See you soon.”