The return of the Tokyo Games takes very diverse forms from one country to another. In France, some of the Olympic medalists, including judokas Teddy Riner and Clarisse Agbegnenou, decathlete Kevin Mayer and swimmer Florent Manaudou, were invited by the COJO Paris 2024 to participate in the celebration organized in front of the Eiffel Tower for the handover of flag at the closing ceremony. In Australia, the reception of the Olympians takes a much less festive turn.
Due to the health crisis, the Australian authorities are imposing a 14-day quarantine on members of the Olympic delegation upon their return to the country. Athletes, officials and coaches knew it. They had prepared for it. For the most part, it takes place in Sydney, in hotels reserved by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
But, unpleasant surprise, the government of South Australia decided to add a second period of isolation of the same duration. Some of the 56 members of the delegation from this group will therefore have to undergo a 28-day quarantine. “ Due to the high risk of the Delta strain of COVID-19 in New South Wales, anyone traveling from this region must quarantine for 14 days upon entering South Australia“, the state said in a statement.
The Australian Olympic Committee was quick to react to this announcement. He denounces the attitude “ cruel and insensitive » from the South Australian Government. The AOC asked the authorities for an exception for athletes present at the Tokyo Games. The request was not accepted.
« While other countries celebrate the return of their athletes, we subject ours to the most cruel and insensitive treatment, denounces Matt Carroll, the general director of the AOC. They are punished for proudly representing their country at the Olympics"
Of the 56 members of the Olympic delegation, 16 completed their first quarantine in Sydney. A step that will cost them dearly.
« Not only are our Olympians fully vaccinated, but they have also lived in a highly controlled bubble in Tokyo, taking the utmost precautions — tested daily for many weeks, explains Matt Carroll. We have received no explanation as to why our request on behalf of these athletes was rejected"
For Dr David Hughes, chief medical officer at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, such a long period of isolation is not without danger for the mental health of athletes. “Putting people in solitary confinement for such a long period is not a reasonable decision, and is not scientifically justified., he suggests in a press release from the AOC. This poses a real risk to the physical and mental well-being of athletes. They are emotionally vulnerable after the Olympic Games experienced under health constraints. »
Since the start of the health crisis, Australia has opted for the tough way, with a mix of strict travel controls, border closures and rapid quarantines. The result proved him right, with around 37.000 cases of COVID-19 and a number of deaths below 1. The country does not tolerate exceptions, even for its Olympians.
At the Tokyo Games, Australia took 6th place in the medal rankings, with 46 places on the podium, including 17 Olympic titles.
