Paris, July 30 (V7N) — Australian swimmer Lani Pallister has withdrawn from the women's 1500m freestyle event at the Paris Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. The 22-year-old's departure from the event marks a significant setback for her and the Australian team, as Pallister was a strong contender following her third-place finish at the 2022 World Championships.
The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed the positive test and Pallister's decision to conserve her energy for the upcoming 4x200m freestyle relay on Thursday. She is also scheduled to compete in the 800m freestyle on Saturday.
Pallister's withdrawal came shortly before the start of the 1500m freestyle heats at the La Defense Arena. The young swimmer had previously opted out of the 400m freestyle—won by Australian teammate Ariarne Titmus—to concentrate on the longer distances.
In 2022, Pallister achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first female swimmer to secure three freestyle gold medals at a single short-course world championships, winning the 400m, 800m, and 1500m events. Her absence from the 1500m freestyle is a significant blow, particularly given her recent successes and high expectations for the Paris Games.
Pallister's situation follows a similar setback for British swimmer Adam Peaty, who also tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
Comment: