Paris 2024: What happens when Olympic athletes catch Covid?

The Paris 2024 Olympics are well underway, with over 10,000 athletes from across the world gathering to battle it out for a chance to win medals in 32 different sports.

With millions of spectators and thousands of competitors packed into Paris, one unwelcome guest could threaten athletes' medal chances - Covid.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 40 Olympic athletes have tested positive for the illness so far, including Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty, and, most recently, American sprinter Noah Lyles.

Lyles, who won gold in the men's 100m race, achieved a bronze medal in the 200m - before claiming a positive Covid test had hindered his performance.

But what rules are in place for athletes who become infected, and can they still compete? ITV News explains.

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How many Olympic athletes have caught Covid?

As of Tuesday 6 August, the World Health Organisation said 40 athletes at the Olympics have tested positive. Following Noah Lyles' diagnosis, the number is now likely to be higher.

A number of swimmers have also caught the illness including Team GB's Adam Peaty, along with water polo players from Australia.

Noah Lyles revealed he had tested positive for the illness ahead of the men's 200m final, but raced regardless.

The American sprinter said he tested positive on Tuesday August 6, and woke up in the middle of the night “with chills”.

The Olympic 100m champion said he quickly quarantined in a hotel, but insisted on competing in the final, which was won by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo.

Team GB confirmed Adam Peaty had Covid on July 29, and said he started to feel unwell ahead of the Men's 100m Breastroke final.

"In the hours after the final, his symptoms became worse and he was tested for COVID early on Monday morning. He tested positive at that point," a statement read.

Peaty later returned to compete in the men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay, where Team GB finished fourth.

He said he had the "worst week" of his life physically after contracting Covid.

What is the official Covid protocol for Paris 2024?

There are no set rules regarding Covid in place for the Games, meaning athletes can still compete with a positive test.

However, the organisers of Paris 2024 have issued guidance.

An official spokesperson said: “We regularly remind athletes and all other Games stakeholders of the good practices to adopt should they experience any respiratory symptoms: wearing a mask in the presence of others, limiting contacts and washing hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitiser.

“Hand sanitiser stations can be found at all the residential areas and also the restaurant of the Olympic Village."

The statement added that Paris 2024 is working with the French government to continue to monitor the country's public health situation.

How have different teams been responding to a positive test?

Different sports federations and different countries have varying approaches when it comes to dealing with a positive Covid case.

For example, World Rugby recommend limiting "high-risk physical contact" in training if a player has tested positive, and training in smaller groups.

In a statement USA Track and Field said all necessary protocols were quickly enacted to ensure the wellbeing of Lyles and fellow competitors after his positive test result.

“Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete," the statement continued.

"After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely."

Team GB did not confirm exactly what measures they are taking in response to Peaty's positive test result.

"As in any case of illness, the situation is being managed appropriately, with all usual precautions being taken to keep the wider delegation healthy," a spokesperson said.

Following the diagnoses of Australian water polo players, the team's Chef de Mission Anna Mears confirmed players will still be allowed to practice, and protocols will be followed.

She said: “They (affected players) have been wearing their masks, they are isolating from other team members when they are not training, they are not going into the high-volume areas of the allotment like the gym and the performance pantry and more broadly, we have our respiratory illnesses protocol in place.”

What happened at the Tokyo Olympics?

Athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Games had to follow strict rules to compete. They had to undergo daily testing, and isolate if found to be positive.

When the Games were being held in 2021, thousands participants became the most tested community in the world, organisers said.

Athletes were also tested twice before they arrived in Japan, and once they landed at the airport. Some competitors were ruled out of the Games after a positive test.

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