Usain Bolt Tests Positive for COVID-19

(ATR) Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist reportedly caught it during a party for his 34th birthday in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, last Friday.

Jamaica's Health Minister Christopher Tufton confirmed that on Monday night the retired former sprinter was officially informed that he tested positive for COVID-19.

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the party, according to local media.

Videos posted on social media showed Bolt and his many guests enjoying themselves and dancing without a mask or distancing precautions.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said that police will soon report on their investigation.

In Jamaica, more than 1,000 people have been charged for violating the Disaster Risk Management Act regarding the coronavirus, according to The Gleaner.

Before knowing the confirmation of his contagion, Bolt had put a video on social networks early Monday in which he announced from a bed that he had isolated himself pending the result of a test carried out on Saturday, and that he was asymptomatic.

Stay Safe my ppl 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/ebwJFF5Ka9

The world speed star also exhorted his friends who attended the party to take tests.

Bolt said he also took the test because he had a business trip outside of Jamaica on Tuesday, which, of course, he has canceled due to his quarantine.

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Among those who attended Bolt's party was high-profile English footballer Raheem Sterling.

Manchester City forward Sterling announced Tuesday that he tested negative for coronavirus and said a second test would be performed once he returned to the UK.

Sterling hopes to be called up to England's national team for next month's UEFA Nations League games.

Jamaica has had more than 1,400 Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths. But on the island of around three million people it is feared that cases could be on the rise, especially in the capital Kingston, which has had 410 new cases in the last 14 days.

Bolt retired in 2017. He ran the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds and the 200 in 19.19 seconds at the 2009 world championships in Berlin, both current world records.

Bolt is the 15th Olympic champion infected with COVID-19.

That list includes NBA stars Kevin Durant, Harrison Barnes, Patrick Ewing, and Russell Westbrook.

Ismael Borrero (Cuba-Wrestling), Cameron van der Burg (South Africa-Swimming), Ezequiel Garay (Argentina-Football), Conseslus Kipruto (Kenya-Athletics) and Mads Mensah Larsen (Denmark-Handball) are also included.

Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa-Athletics), Emily Regan (USA-Rowing), Abdul Rashid (Russia-Wrestling), Oribe Peralta (Mexico-Football) and Tatyana Navka (Belarus-Ice Skating) complete the compilation by Olympic historian Bill Mallon.

Written by Miguel Hernandez

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