Covid positive athletes compete at major competitions

Australian cricketer Tahlia McGrath and British equestrian Gareth Hughes made headlines over the weekend, contesting prestigious competitions in their respective sports despite registering positive tests for COVID-19.

The two cases came to light under distinct circumstances, but the final result was the same in both situations. McGrath and Hughes were allowed to compete with active cases of COVID-19.

McGrath first presented symptoms shortly before the gold medal match of women’s T20 cricket at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday. She was ultimately allowed to take part in the match, even batting without a mask.

Commonwealth Games Australia released a statement during the match that read, “McGrath presented to team management with mild symptoms on Sunday and subsequently returned the positive test. She was named in the starting XI at the toss and the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved her participation in the final.”

ESPN Cricinfo claimed McGrath may have been the first player to contest an international cricket match while positive for COVID-19. The historic occasion was reportedly made possible by a policy put in place for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

COVID-positive athletes were to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with factors such as severity of symptoms, likelihood of further transmission, and location of competition playing a role in the final decision on participation. It remains unclear if any athletes were prevented from taking part in the event by local organizers or the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

McGrath’s teammate Beth Mooney told reporters, “I think it was handled extremely well from Cricket Australia’s point of view, in terms of having protocols in place and making sure everyone in the team was comfortable that she was playing.”

“They did all the right things,” added Mooney. “Towards the toss, it became a bit hairy there for a while, but I think it’s no different to someone playing if they’ve got a cold or flu.”

Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India’s team, expressed her viewpoint of the situation, stating, “they informed us before the toss.”

“That was something not in our control because the Commonwealth has to take the decision. We were okay because she wasn’t very ill, so we just decided to play.”

She added, “we had to show the sportsman’s spirit. We’re happy that we didn’t say no to Tahlia because that would have been very hard-hitting for her.”

McGrath went on to win a gold medal with the Australian side. She could be seen celebrating key plays from a distance, reminding teammates of her condition.

Meanwhile, Gareth Hughes was busy helping his team qualify for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games at the FEI World Championships. He took part in the dressage competition, appearing on the victor’s podium, before his positive test for COVID-19 was revealed at a press conference.

Winnie Murphy, a representative of British Equestrian, stated, “we checked everything and the protocols, the law in Denmark, where we are, and at home, is that if you test positive for COVID there is no need to isolate, you just manage it.”

She argued, “there were probably hundreds of people coming through the turnstiles today with COVID. Anywhere we are gathering there is likely to be COVID around.”

Equestrianism outlet The Chronicle of the Horse reported that the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) was unaware of Hughes’ positive test prior to the announcement at the press conference.

In a statement to The Chronicle of the Horse, FEI Communications Director Olivia Robinson explained, “the FEI Policy for Enhanced Competition Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic is still in effect and is in place to supplement the applicable legislation and policies from domestic governments and health authorities.”

“With its sport specific considerations, the FEI Policy is part of the ‘Recommended Best Practices for FEI Event Organizers’ and not a set of regulations,” added Robinson. “As the athlete Gareth Hughes is not in breach of any FEI rules he can continue competing at the Blue Hors FEI Dressage World Championship 2022.”

Hughes’ participation in the team section of the event was likely vital to ensuring Great Britain’s second place finish and qualification for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

He defended his participation, stating, “I didn’t test positive until we got here; we are allowed to ride, within the rules.”

“I’ve now tested negative, which is great,” added Hughes. “We’re doing this as a precaution because it’s out in the press, but I’ve done two negative tests now so that’s really good, but I’m still going to keep away; doing everything right to make everyone feel safe.”

The experience of the two athletes differs significantly from what COVID-positive athletes faced at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. It may signal a slow shift away from isolation protocols in international sports.

However, it remains to be seen if any international federations or event organizers will revise their COVID-19 policies as a result of the two incidents.