Became First Athlete To Withdraw From Olympics Due To Positive COVID-19, Fernanda Aguirre: Devastated And So Sad

Fernanda Aguirre (Instagram @aguirrefernanda_)

JAKARTA - Fernanda Aguirre became the first athlete to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.

The Chilean taekwondo athlete had traveled to Japan from Uzbekistan where he was preparing for the Olympics, but tested positive upon arrival in Japan.

"(He) is asymptomatic and in good health, but unfortunately will not be able to compete because the Japanese authorities have imposed a 10-day quarantine," Chile's Olympic Committee said.

Aguirre has been transferred to an isolation facility, as has his coach.

The 21-year-old athlete, who won a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games, said on social media that he was "devastated and very sad."

Similar to Aguirre, recent reports suggest that Dutch skateboarder Candy Jacobs was also forced out of the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.

Jacobs wrote on Instagram that he had "done everything in his power to prevent this scenario and taken all precautions".

"Unfortunately I tested positive for COVID-19 this morning which means my Olympic journey ends here," the 31-year-old said.

There have been dozens of Olympic-related COVID-19 cases to date, while the Games will officially open Friday.