Czech Player Tests Positive for COVID-19... First COVID Forfeit Victory in Beach Volleyball Occurs

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The Czech women's beach volleyball team, which had confirmed COVID-19 cases, missed their first match. As a result, the Japanese women's beach volleyball team became the first team to win by default due to COVID-19 since the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Czech pair Marketa Slukova and Barbora Hermanova were scheduled to play their first match against the Japanese pair Ishii Miki and Murakami Megumi at 9 a.m. on the 24th. However, the Czech team did not appear at Shiokaze Park, where the beach volleyball matches were held.

Slukova tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week and was quarantined. Hermanova tested negative but cannot compete alone.

There are growing concerns that a cluster infection of COVID-19 may have occurred on the charter flight carrying the Czech team to Tokyo. So far, a total of six Czech players, including Slukova, have tested positive.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that if teams or athletes are unable to compete due to COVID-19 during the Tokyo Olympics, they will be classified as DNS (Did Not Start) rather than DSQ (Disqualified) according to the regulations.

The Japanese pair Ishii and Murakami won by default with a set score of 2-0 due to the Czech players' DNS.