The Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) has confirmed that four of its 14 swimmers at the FINA World Championships (25m) 2021 in Abu Dhabi have tested positive for COVID-19 following a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
As such, the world swimming body FINA has informed the SSA that Singapore will not be able to compete at the FINA World Championships (25m) 2021 as the contingent is in close contact with the positive cases.
The SSA said that it would “abide by the existing protocols of the host nation.”
See statement.
The swimmers were tested as part of the testing protocols at the competition.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page at about 8.20pm, the SSA said that it was “keeping in close contact with the swimmers, their families, and the authorities” and was “providing all the necessary support to ensure that the health and safety of our swimmers are taken care of.”
The SSA also added that the affected swimmers have been moved to a “dedicated quarantine facility”.
Apart from the four swimmers who were tested positive and who are in a quarantine facility, the rest of the members of the Singapore contingent are currently self-quarantined.
The SSA added that it was making arrangements for the swimmers who are not positive to return home to Singapore as soon as possible.
SSA Technical Director Sonya Porter will remain in Abu Dhabi to “look after the affected swimmers and will fly back to Singapore with them after they are allowed to travel”, the SSA added.
When competition began on 16 December, the DNS (Did Not Start) notification was placed next to all Singaporean swimmers’ names, meaning that they did not take to the pool.
Among the athletes who were due to take part at the championships included Ashley Lim, Teong Tzen Wei, Amanda Lim, Quah Jing Wen.
MAIN PHOTO: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT WEBSITE
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