3 minute read
The Rollers have been informed they were close contacts of a coronavirus case - but were cleared to play and win their fifth-placed playoff in Tokyo.
Australia's men's wheelchair basketball team, the Rollers, have faced additional protocols after being identified as close contacts of a confirmed coronavirus case in Tokyo.
A player from Iran, who the Rollers faced in a Group B match on August 26, tested positive to COVID-19, with Paralympics Australia notified by Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG) on August 28.
The Rollers were then informed they were close contacts by TOCOG on Friday night but cleared to play Turkey in their fifth-place playoff on Saturday.
Paralympics Australia said their medical team "remain unconcerned' given "the risk of transmission is already low, based on testing and risk-mitigation tactics to date" but would continue to consult with the Rollers' management.
None of the 12 athletes or selected team officials had returned positive coronavirus tests, having been subject to daily nasopharyngeal testing along with their already-required daily saliva tests.
The Rollers were relocated to their own level of apartments within the Australian HQ of the Paralympic Village.
They also faced restrictions on movements, including moving directly to training and competition venues; not sharing common spaces (gym/recovery/transport) with other sports, and having meals delivered to their rooms.
Daily testing and risk mitigation tactics will remain in place until the Rollers depart Tokyo.
The Rollers finished their campaign on a high note by beating Turkey 74-58, with Tristan Knowles sinking 31 points.
Three-time Olympian Brett Stibners announced his retirement post-match after four Paralympics - claiming gold in Beijing and silver in London.
Bill Latham didn't play as he had already departed Tokyo to return home for family reasons.