TOKYO (AFP) - Two-time world pole vault champion Sam Kendricks was ruled out of the Tokyo Games on Thursday (July 29) after testing positive for coronavirus, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) confirmed.
"We are saddened to confirm that Sam Kendricks tested positive for Covid-19 and will not compete in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020," the USOPC said in a statement on Twitter.
German Chiaraviglio of Argentina has also been ruled out of the Olympics after testing positive.
Kendricks won back-to-back gold medals at the 2017 and 2019 world championships and was one of the main contenders for the title in Tokyo along with Swedish world-record holder Armand Duplantis.
The charismatic 28-year-old, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is now in isolation, the USOPC added.
"In alignment with local rules and protocols, he has been transferred to a hotel to be placed in isolation and is being supported by the USATF (USA Track and Field) and USOPC staff," the USOPC said.
"Sam is an incredible and accomplished member of Team USA and his presence will be missed. Out of respect for his privacy, we cannot provide more information at this time."
The positive test comes just two days before the start of the men's pole vault competition on Saturday.
Multiple members of Australia's Olympic track and field team were also placed in isolation on Thursday following the news, Athletics Australia said.
An Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) statement later said all but three members of Australia's track and field team at the Tokyo Olympics have been released from isolation after a coronavirus scare.
The three, close contacts of Kendricks, have tested negative but remain in isolation and will be tested daily, the statement said.
Forty-one athletes and 13 officials were given the "all-clear" to resume normal activities after spending just over two hours in their rooms at the Olympic Village.
"Members of the Australian track and field team in the Tokyo Olympic Village have been cleared to return to their regular routines," the AOC said.
The three, still in isolation, self-reported once they heard about America's Kendricks.
Chef de mission Ian Chesterman said "our strict protocols continue to keep the team safe".
"We want every Australian athlete to be in a position to have their Olympic moment. We will continue to be vigilant," he added.
Kendricks' father and coach, Scott Kendricks, had first announced news of his son's Covid-19 test result earlier on Thursday in an Instagram post that was subsequently deleted.
"Today in Tokyo, officials informed Sam that his daily test for Cov 19 was positive," Scott Kendricks wrote.
"So he is out of the competition. He feels fine and has no symptoms. Love you son. See you soon."
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on its website that the entire 63-strong Australian track and field team had been told to isolate.
The newspaper reported that Australian pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall had been confirmed as a close contact of Kendricks, and that a number of other athletes may have interacted with the American.
