Amid heightened concerns over COVID-19, the US women’s gymnastics team has elected to stay in a hotel rather than board𒆙 in Tokyo’s Olympic Villag💯e.
“It was also aꦯ decision that we all made together, we know it isn’t ideꦫal for the Olympic experience but nothing is ideal during a pandemic,” Cecile Landi, the coach for both Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles,
“We feel like we can contꦜrol the athletes and our safety better in a hotel setting!”
On Monday, Kara Eaker, an alternate on the team, became the first known COVID-1🅷9 case among US Olympians. Eaker, who is vaccinated, te🅠sted positive in an Olympic training camp in Narita, Japan. She is currently in quarantine, as is Leanne Wong, a fellow alternate and training mate wh♚o was deemed a close contact.
“The entire delegation continues to be vigilant and will maintaꦿin strict protocols while 𓄧they are in Tokyo,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement Monday.
The team’s decision to room in a hotel comes amid a disconcerting rise in COVID-19 cases with the surging Delta variant. As of Monday evening, 71 COVID-19 🥃cases have been connected to the Games, including several permeating the Olympic Village. On Tuesday, Tokyo reported more than 1,300 COVID-19 cases, 550 more than the previous week’s total.
The US team is heavily fav꧙ored to win its third straight Olympic title in⛄ Tokyo, led by the otherworldly Biles. All members of the team are vaccinated.