Test results showed ‘deviation’, forcing badminton star into temporary isolation.
NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu had a Covid-19 scare upon her arrival in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games (CWG), when her RT-PCR test results showed some deviations, which resulted in the authorities forcing her into isolation for some time.
An impressive 10-member badminton contingent had left for Birmingham in the early hours of July 25 from Hyderabad. According to sources in Birmingham, some “invariability” was detected in Sindhu’s RTPCR test upon her arrival in the Games city and she was put under observation.
The Gold Coast CWG silver medallist was told to isolate from other contingent members till the time her second test result came. To everyone’s relief, the result turned out to be negative and Sindhu was allowed to check in at the Games Village on Tuesday. During this period of uncertainty, India’s chef-de-mission’s office in Birmingham was constantly in touch with the authorities to resolve the issue.
According to rules, athletes will need to undergo an RT-PCR test for Covid-19, 72 hours prior to their arrival in the UK. There will be another round of testing upon their arrival in Birmingham.
Sources said that it was because of Sindhu’s Covid-19 scare that the announcement of the name for India’s flagbearer was delayed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
The choice was between Sindhu and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, but Sindhu was later announced as the flagbearer.
The IOA had, on Tuesday, issued an advisory for the 321-member strong Indian contingent not to spend much time in public places in Birmingham because of the Covid-19 threat.
“The players have been instructed to keep public interaction to a minimum and take safety precautions wherever needed,” it read. The advisory was issued in the backdrop of Sindhu’s case.
Sindhu’s second test, however, came back negative.
Source By – The Times of India
