The Olympic gymnastics team is scheduled to leave the Netherlands for Tokyo this Sunday. However, a positive coronavirus test within the team has complicated the departure.
All athletes and supervisors from both the male and female teams have gone into preventive isolation before their flight to Japan. This way they hope to keep everyone on the teams, as well as anyone they might come in contact with during the games, safe.
Repeated testing
In the course of the past six days, all members of TeamNL were tested three times and it was this adamant testing that revealed the positive result, AD reports. The team has not wished to announce who tested positive for coronavirus.
In the coming days, the athletes and staff of TeamNL will continue to be tested. NOC*NSF (The Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation) will carry out an investigation to determine the nature of the contamination before departing for Tokyo.
Small media afternoon
Yesterday, the KNGU (Royal Dutch Gymnastics Union) held a media afternoon in Oranjewoud in Friesland. The national coach, Bram van Bokhoven, and 2012 Olympic champion, Epke Zonderland, were present.
Van Bokhoven addressed the Wevers twins’ decision not to attend saying that “they can make their own decision. If they want to focus, you have to respect that.” Sanne and Lieke Wevers are both part of the selection for the women’s team. By not attending the media afternoon, the twins indicated that they do not wish to comment on the misconduct or KNGU reprimand of their father and coach, Vincent Wevers. He will not be going to Tokyo with them.
Asides from the Wevers twins, Eythora Thorsdottir and Vera van Pol also form part of the women’s team selection. Elze Geurts and Naomi Visser will be reserves this year. The coach team consists of van Bokhoven along with Aimee Boorman and José van der Veen.
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Feature Image: vverve/Depositphotos
