Two USA Swimming stars ‘test positive for COVID-19 at 2024 Olympics’ after Great Britain’s Adam Peaty caught the virus in Paris

Two USA Swimming long-distance swimmers have tested positive for COVID-19 during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, according to an online report.

ZwemSwam.com reports that distance specialists David Johnston and Luke Whitlock have both tested positive. Johnston still has some time to recover before the men’s 1500m freestyle on Saturday. Johnston has already competed and finished 15th in the 800m freestyle.

Johnston and Whitlock’s positive tests come after British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive for COVID-19 hours later on Monday after finishing in joint second place in the men’s 100m breaststroke final.

USA Swimming spokespeople declined to confirm the report to DailyMail.com, saying the organization “does not release athlete health data.”

Johnston has not been ruled out of his upcoming event on Saturday, USA Swimming officials told DailyMail.com.

COVID-19 has become an increasing problem during the Olympic Games in Paris.

Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held amid strict precautions and without fans due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has forced athletes to withdraw from events and prompted others to wear masks again.

Several athletes have tested positive, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister who had a medal hope in the women’s 1500m freestyle but had to withdraw from the event. Pallister has been instructed to isolate in her room.

Peaty tested positive a day after narrowly missing out on gold in the 100m breaststroke, sharing silver with American Nic Fink. Peaty, who said he felt unwell when he woke up on Sunday morning, hopes to compete in relays later this week.

“The team spirit is really high,” said Peaty’s British team-mate Matt Richards after his 100m freestyle heat on Tuesday morning. “I think we’ve done a good job of just trying to take all the precautions we can.

‘Adam is fine, he’s not going to die. He’s fine, just a little cold. We’ll avoid it as best we can. We’re here to race. If we get a little sick while racing, we’ll keep racing. That’s how we do it.’

Several Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 in the run-up to the opening ceremony, forcing them to isolate from other team members.

The Tokyo Olympics were postponed for a year due to COVID-19, while the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing were held under strict precautions, making Paris the first post-pandemic Olympics. There are no strict protocols or restrictions around COVID-19 in Paris.

“We have a protocol that requires any athlete who has tested positive to wear a mask and we remind everyone to follow best practices. But in terms of monitoring COVID cases, the cases in France are quite low,” said Anne Descamps, head of communications for Paris 2024.

British swimmer Jacob Whittle said his team is taking increased precautions.

“We’re sanitizing our hands and wearing a mask everywhere we can,” Whittle said. “When we’re swimming and doing stuff like this (talking to reporters) are the only times we’re not wearing a mask.

“It’s just being extra careful when eating and on buses and public spaces, just being very aware that you don’t get it and if you do have it, not passing it on to anyone else. Just being very careful.”