Dozens of Australian athletes test positive for COVID-19, gastro after week one

Dozens of Australian athletes have tested positive for gastro and respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 over the first week of the Paris Olympic Games.

Out of 85 athletes and officials tested for symptoms, 44 returned positive results for various illnesses, including 16 who contracted COVID-19.

That number includes five members of the women's water polo team and swimmer Lani Pallister, who was forced to withdraw from her 1500m freestyle event.

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Pallister instead prepared for her 4x200m freestyle race, where the team won gold in the event.

In a media conference addressing the water polo cases, Australian chef de mission Anna Meares previously said Paris "is not Tokyo," referring to the more stringent protocols that were enforced during the pandemic-delayed Games in 2021.

Australian team doctor Carolyn Broderick released the latest testing results of illnesses affecting athletes and officials.

"Our testing has been the most extensive and accurate of any Games, allowing early and targeted treatments," she said in a statement.

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The team doctor explained that illnesses were identified at various stages: some were detected when the athletes first arrived, others surfaced during training or competition, and a few after the events concluded.

"With more than 1,000 Australians in team accommodation these results are modest and in line with expectations," Broderick said.

'We have kept this team training and competing."