What happens if an athlete tests positive for Covid-19 at the Olympics?

The Olympic games in Tokyo have finally started. The opening ceremony came and went, and we also got the first gold medal of the games, with China winning in shooting. Biggest concern for the participants and the organizers remains Covid-19. There are increased reports of the virus striking at the Games Village or a venue to render an athlete or athletes unable to compete. Athletes, officials and journalists will be get tested everyday so the worries that one’s Games could yet be in peril or one will be sent into a 14-day quarantine at the 11th hour, as results are sent to their mobile phones, linger on.

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) passed on the Tokyo 2020 Sport-Specific Regulations (SSR), which explains in detail what happens when a participant is positive for Covid-19. If any participant in track-and-field events tests positive for Covid-19, they will be marked ‘DNS’ and the next-best placed athlete from the previous round will come in as the replacement. The round at which the athlete exits due to Covid-19 will be considered as the final result for that athlete. In case of the 10,000m and marathon, which are single races, Covid-stricken athletes will be deemed ‘DNS’ and so, there will be one less athlete in the field.

As far as box is concerned, the rules say that a boxer will be marked ‘DNS’ and considered to have given a ‘walkover’ if the virus strikes post the start of the competition. If it happens before the final, the Covid-positive boxer will be given the silver medal and the opponent an automatic gold.

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In Rugby Sevens, in case a team is not able to compete due to COVID-19 it will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS. If a team that had qualified for the knock-out round can no longer compete due to COVID-19, the team ranked 9th based on the post-pool round standings will be brought forward to compete. In case a team cannot compete in the semi-final they shall be replaced by the team that they beat in the relevant quarterfinal. In case a team can no longer compete in the final, the team that was eliminated by the COVID-19 impacted team will be brought into the final to compete for the medal on the field of play. The winner of the final will be awarded the gold medal and both the runner up and the withdrawn teams will be awarded silver medals.

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In Beach Volleyball, if a team is unable to compete due to COVID-19 will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS. In case a team has qualified for the round of 16 and is no longer able to compete due to COVID-19, the next best placed team from the preliminary phase will take their place. In case the team has qualified for the quarterfinal, the team that was eliminated in the respective round of 16 will take their place. In case a team qualified for the semi-final, the respective losing quarterfinalist will take the place to ensure full fields. In case the team is not able to compete in the final, the semi-finalist who lost against the COVID-19 team will progress to the final. In this case, the match for third place will not go ahead.

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In Volleyball, if a team is unable to compete due to COVID-19 the team will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS. In case the team qualified for the quarterfinals, the team will be replaced by the highest ranked team from the respective pool of the preliminary round. In case the team qualified for the semi-final, the respective losing quarterfinalist will take their place. In case one of the two teams playing in the final can no longer compete due to COVID-19 the team is replaced by the respective losing semi-finalist.