'COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection' US Beach Volleyball Player "Desperate Quarantine Life... 23 Hours Only in Hotel"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Tyler Crab (29), a member of the U.S. men's beach volleyball team, is living in "quarantine" in Tokyo, Japan.

Although he was vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19 in the United States, he tested positive after arriving in Tokyo. Because of this, his dream of competing in the Tokyo Olympics was dashed.

In an interview with the Associated Press on the 25th (Korean time), Crab said, "I have felt despair all week," adding, "I tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Tokyo, and my participation in the Tokyo Olympics was canceled. I cannot return to the United States either," he lamented.

Crab is a top-level player who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the U.S. professional beach volleyball league in 2018 and 2019. At the Tokyo Olympics, he aimed to win a medal partnering with Jacob Gibb.

Upon arriving in Tokyo, Crab tested positive for COVID-19 and initially thought, "I can start training after a 2-3 day quarantine period." However, he later found out that the quarantine period was actually two weeks. The United States Olympic Committee selected Tri Bourne as Crab's replacement athlete.

Crab said, "Bourne is a friend and player I really like. He deserves to compete in the Olympics," but also added, "Personally, not being able to participate in the Olympics is a huge blow."

Crab shared, "I am quarantined in a hotel in Japan. I spend 23 out of 24 hours in my hotel room," and explained, "Except for using the hotel’s first-floor restaurant for breakfast and briefly going out to buy food for lunch and dinner, I cannot leave my hotel room."

For Crab, his mother does yoga with him via video calls, and his girlfriend watches TV programs with him through video calls as if she were right beside him. Still, he confessed, "It is very hard mentally and physically. I miss my girlfriend and parents."

Crab said, "The only consolation I have now is that because the Tokyo Olympics were postponed by one year, the next Olympics (the 2024 Paris Olympics) will be held three years from now," adding, "I tell myself, 'I still have a chance to compete in the Olympics,' and I am enduring this difficult situation."