COVID-19 Protocols Knock Katie Grimes and Lydia Jacoby Out of World Champs
Prior to the start of the third session of finals at the Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi, USA Swimming announced that teenage stars Lydia Jacoby and Katie Grimes were forced to withdraw from the remainder of the competition due to COVID-19 protocols. Grimes was scheduled to contest the final of the 800-meter freestyle as part of the Night Three schedule.
“Team USA athletes Katie Grimes and Lydia Jacoby have withdrawn from the FINA World Championships (25m) in Abu Dhabi due to COVID-19 protocols,” said the USA Swimming statement. “In a continued effort to prioritize the health and safety of our athletes and staff, we have implemented stricter safety measures, including COVID testing every 48 hours, limiting time at the event venue, and continuing to enforce mask rules and social distancing.”
Based on her recent performances, Grimes figured to contend for the title in the 800 freestyle in Saturday’s racing while the loss of Jacoby is a hit for the United States in the medley-relay action. Jacoby previously helped the United States to a silver medal in the women’s 200 medley relay, and she was a semifinalist in the individual 50 breaststroke. However, with COVID breakouts around the world rising, particularly with the Omicron variant having emerged, USA Swimming is taking the wise approach geared toward safety and health.
It is really hard for me to wrap my mind around the logic of this or any of these protocols.