Paris Olympics: Lani Pallister Tests Positive For COVID, Withdraws From 1500 Freestyle

Lani Pallister -- Photo Courtesy: Con Chronis (Swimming Victoria)

Paris Olympics: Lani Pallister Tests Positive For COVID, Withdraws From 1500 Freestyle

Another positive COVID test has hit the Paris Olympics, this time in the Australian camp. Lani Pallister, who was considered a strong medal contender in the 1500 freestyle, has withdrawn from the event after her positive test Tuesday morning in Paris.

Pallister previously pulled out of the 400-meter race to focus on the 800 and 1500 free as well as Australia’s 800 free relay, which is favored to win gold. Pallister has not yet been ruled out of the remainder of competition, with the team’s coaches choosing to rest her in hopes that she can return in time for the relay.

This positive test is the second among big-name swimmers in the past 24 hours. Previously, Great Britain’s Adam Peaty recorded a positive test hours after he won silver in the men’s 100 breaststroke.

If Pallister is able to return to action in time for Thursday’s relay, she will be part of an Aussie squad heavily favored for gold after crushing the world record and winning by four seconds at last year’s World Championships. Pallister clocked 1:55.57 for third place in the event at Australia’s Trials behind Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan, the same swimmers who ended up going 1-2 in the event (albeit in reverse order) in the individual event in Paris.

The other two swimmers from last year’s relay final, Brianna Throssell and Shayna Jack, are also part of the Australian team, but Pallister has been hoping to join that finals grouping after swimming just prelims last July in Fukuoka. Her health in two days will determine her ability to do so.

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