Third foreign athlete in Beijing tests positive for Covid-19

Unnamed athlete contracts virus during Luge World Cup, despite stringent measures in place to control any outbreaks

BEIJING:

China reported on Thursday a third Covid-19 case among foreign athletes at preparatory events ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which are being organised with stringent measures in place to control any outbreaks.

A foreign athlete participating in the Luge World Cup in Beijing was confirmed on Tuesday as being an asymptomatic case after a routine Covid-19 test, state media reported.

The athlete has been transferred to an isolation facility for observation, state media reported, quoting Zhao Weidong, an official of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.

The athlete is in close contact with a previously confirmed asymptomatic case, Zhao said, without revealing the identity or nationality of either of the athletes.

The Luge World Cup is serving as a test event for the Feb 4-20 Beijing Winter Olympics. China reported on Nov 12 that two lugers of the same nationality had tested positive.

Beijing's vice mayor previously said the coronavirus would be one of the biggest challenges of the Games.

A widespread outbreak linked to the Games would hurt China's record of containing clusters quickly, having elected to maintain a zero-tolerance approach towards Covid-19.

All participants at the Games will be tested daily and spectators from abroad are not being allowed in. Athletes and other Games personnel will also be isolated in "closed-loop" bubbles.